Friends, God gives us gifts. But they aren’t for us to keep to ourselves. They are to bring Him glory, and to serve others.
I play the piano at church. I also like to write.
Although I have been the pianist at my church for fifteen plus years, I am nervous EVERY SINGLE Sunday that I play. I absolutely do not like having attention on me, and I have often joked about having a curtain put up around the piano.
Writing, in a sense, is easier because no one is watching me while I write. However, putting my words out there for people to see is just as scary.
I’ve always been shy, quiet, and reserved. Being in a crowd, being in the spotlight, or anything that would draw attention to me has always made me uncomfortable.
It would be easy to play the piano at home with no one around to hear. It would be easy to write in a journal for no one to see. But if I’m going to love God, and be obedient to Him and His word, I can’t keep these things to myself.
1 Peter Chapter 4, verses 10 and 11 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others…so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”
When we are focused on obedience to God, we can do those things which God has called us to do. We can use the talents He has given us. He will strengthen us and help us when we are nervous or afraid.
Sometimes we think we are being humble by not displaying our talents. And we definitely should be humble when we do anything. But if God has given you a talent, He wants you to use it. It’s not so much about you, as it is about bringing glory to God, and helping others.
God wouldn’t give you gifts and talents if He didn’t want you to use them.
Mark Chapter 4, Verse 21 says, “He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand?”
Are we not called to be light? What if God is talking about us in verse 21? I think God is asking, “Did I create you and give you gifts to keep to yourself for no one to see? Or did I create you to be light for all to see, pointing the lost to me?”
Friends, whatever gifts God has blessed you with, use them. Encourage someone. Pray for someone. Volunteer your expertise to help someone.
You have a purpose.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
