We have just had our whole house painted by our painter friend John and his awesome helpers. They obviously know what they are doing, and have taken the time and effort to use their skills to do a good job.
As I was looking at a particular freshly painted room where extra care had been needed because of all the necessary “cutting in” and colour changes, I said to God, ” how did He (our painter) do that”? God’s answer was, “hes doing what he has a been taught to do, and what he has a skill in”.
On reflection of God’s answer I’ve been thinking that perhaps we all need to consider something. How fulfilled and happy would we all be if we spent more time honouring and focusing on the God-given skills and abilities we do have instead of focusing on what we aren’t. We could then choose to use our time and energy to hone those skills to be the best we could be.
It’s just as my college lecturer once said, “Stick to things in which you may truly claim competence”. He was talking about knowing what you are called to do and working diligently to build those skills. In short; to just get on with it and stop being distracted or keep underestimating ourselves and God’s love and power to work the best out, in and through us.
Unfortunately we can all fall into the trap of failing to discover and make the most of our God given abilities. They then can lie dormant or neglected inside of us because we are trying to be like someone else, we are lazy or complacent, we’ve allowed disappointment or failure to discourage us, or we’ve failed to appreciate, recognise and then make the most of opportunities right in front of us, and therefore sadly often squander the gifts placed inside of us.
We all need to quit comparing and underestimating what we have to offer and instead take the time to seek God to reveal to us what He has placed inside us already, and what His purposes are.
I don’t believe anything is ever wasted in life if we choose to learn from it. Plus God promises He will work all things together for our good for those who love Him. He has made us all unique with varying talents which He actually expects us with His help and encouragement to “work” out in our lives.
Perhaps youve been overlooking or disregarding what you can do; an interest, skill or ability you possess and today is a good day to consider what God has already given you, and what is just waiting for you to discover. Explore, try some new things, revisit some old ones and push yourself to make the most of what you have been given. Seek God and enquire of Him what good is He wanting to out work in your life so that you become all you were made to be?
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”. (Ephesians 2 :10 )
“And we know that in all things God works for the goid of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose”. (Romans 8:28)
Prayer: Lord please help me to recognise what you have placed inside of me and how I can then make the most of what you have blessed me with. I don’t want to waste my God given talents, so I ask that you help me to make the most of opportunities before me, and that you will surround my life with those people who will encourage and draw the best out of me. In Jesus name Amen.
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