Today I’ve been stretched out of my comfort zone. Primarily because my husband and I have been taking our ability to speak and encourage others onto a larger online platform. I must admit however that sharing your heart and face with listeners all over the world can be a little intimidating .
But feeling intimidated isn’t a good enough reason to not do something, especially when stepping out of your comfort zone might just help change and improve someone’s life. All of us have something valuable to offer, because we can all make a difference to other people’s lives by what we carry within us.
There are 1000’s of people just waiting for someone to teach, inspire and connect with them, and often all that needs to happen is for us to take what we have in our hands and heart and determine to share it with the world.
Our 18 year old son has been inspiring me to do that more. He loves soccer and has been playing at the National Premier League level for several years as he’s honed and worked on his skills. This year he wanted to encourage his 11yr old brother to also play a team sport and he convinced him to try soccer. Even though our eldest son is relatively young, he has knowledge and skill and he’s chosen to share that by coaching not only his little brother, but his whole team. He could stay in bed on his Saturday mornings like most teenagers his age, but instead you’ll find him up early getting ready and encouraging and joking around with his little brother as they prepare to head off to an early morning soccer game. He’s taking what he has in his hand to teach and inspire others younger than him who can benefit from what he knows and loves.
Imagine if we all took what we have been given; what we are gifted, talented or have some knowledge about and we used it to encourage and help someone else. Whether that’s a sporting team you can coach, or perhaps teaching younger people who may not have someone else available, to show them how to check the oil in the car or change a light bulb or leaking tap. Or teaching someone how to cook a meal, play an instrument or how to organise their finances better. It could be that you are a great listener or have time to gather people who may be feeling lonely or without family together around a meal.
Whatever it is that you are skilled at and can share with others, God has blessed you with that ability so that it can both increase and be used to make a difference. He says, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38)
Today have a think and pray about what you have that you may be able to give and share with those around you. What are you good at and have a skill in? What knowledge can you impart to someone else? How can you make someone else’s life better by your connections or what you have?
It could be that you share your skill and gifts online to the wider world where you can teach and inspire others. Or that you help someone in your local community, church, your friends, or even those in your own household and family.
As you value the gifts within yourself they will invariably become valuable to someone else. One gift shared, one person encouraged and inspired, one person given a helping hand. Multiply that over and over and we will change the world!
“One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, and comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” (Prov 11:24-25)
Prayer: Lord please help me to recognise the gifts and abilities I have and to value them within myself more so that I will freely be able to share them with others. Please use me to make a difference in someone else’s life today. In Jesus name Amen.
P.S. Since I am all for practicing what I preach and encouraging others to share what they have to give, here is my first video – you get to see it first 🙂