Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – August 27, 2019
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
When I was in my early twenties, I was in a season common to many young people: I wanted to know what God wanted me to do with my life. What was my purpose? Why had He created me?
I had been wrestling with these questions for years and one afternoon, while riding in the back of a bus on the way home from a singles’ retreat in Oregon, God revealed to me what He had called me to do.
I was reading Isaiah 61:1, a prophetic scripture about Christ’s mission, when the words jumped off the page.
“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. . .”
In that moment I had a keen sense that God’s calling for my life was to work with Him to “bind up the brokenhearted.” I liked the idea since I was tender toward those who were hurting.
My first thought was that I would be ministering to children because I loved them so much. But as the years unfolded, it became clear I would be teaching adults through writing and speaking.
There are two wonderful things about this calling that I hope encourage you as you seek God in your calling:
First, I didn’t notice my calling unfolding in my life until I looked back at my journey many years later when I was in my early forties. It was then that I realized that, yes indeed, for years I had been working with the Lord in one way or another to bind up the brokenhearted.
This is a testimony that the Lord is at work even when we don’t know what we are doing—or see what He is doing. He is always at work arranging the pieces of our lives in His sovereign way to accomplish His plans.
Second, just as it is with all of God’s kids, I didn’t give myself the gift of communication needed for my calling.
1 Peter 4:10 says that everyone has been given a gift. (That includes you, too.)
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
Each has received a gift . . .not some have received gifts, or the most holy Christians receive gifts, or God’s brightest receive gifts. No, each has received a gift.
You have received a gift, just as I have received a gift.
The beauty of recognizing that you have received a gift is that you know it’s not something you have to earn. You don’t have to prove you are a worthy recipient. He has given you a gift, not because you are good, but because He is good.
God hasn’t overlooked you, or short-changed you. You have been given a good gift. It’s been bestowed on you. Believe it.
“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness” (Romans 12:6-8).
Prayer
Lord, thank you that you have given me a gift. How marvelous that you are at work in every person’s life, including mine, to glorify you. Amen!
Application
Do you doubt that the Lord has given you a gift? If so, why? Talk with Him about what you read today.
Related Reading
1 Corinthians 15:10; Mark 10:45; 1 Corinthians 3:10
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God has given you the gift of grace, not because you are deserving, but because He is good. #WisdomHunters #gift #Jesus
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