Unwrapping Your Gifts

Can you believe that we are almost at the end of 2023? It is the time of year when we reflect on the past 12 months and make resolutions for 2024. I personally don’t make resolutions because it is simply an opportunity for me to fail. Instead, I take a moment to think about what I did accomplish and what can I do to make it better in the next year. Making a resolution is not necessarily the same as setting a goal. Goals are great. Some goals just take longer to achieve than others but, good none the less.

1Corinthians 12:4-7(ESV)

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

God’s word tells us that he has given us gifts and talents to be used for His glory. Am I using those gifts and talents to glorify him? Do I even know what my gifts and talents are? It is a question we should all be asking ourselves. A friend gave me a Bible Study and Prayer Planner for Christmas one year. I loved it but I struggled to keep up with it on a daily basis. I even felt guilty at times until I realized it was designed for my use and enjoyment. There wasn’t a prize waiting for me at the end of the journal. It was a tool to help me think, to keep me focused and organized, to help me make a conscience effort to study God’s word. Did I fill every page? Nope, but that’s ok. It put me on a path that led to this page right here. It forced me to do something I had neglected for a while, and that’s writing.

Over the next few days, lets all take time to reflect and ask ourselves do we know what our gifts are and whether or not we are using our gifts and talents to lift each other up. Are we worshipping with like-minded believers? Are we supporting each other through good times and bad? Are we using God’s word to guide our thinking and decision making? Are we lifting each other up in prayer? Unwrap your gifts from God and let them shine.