02/24/2022
Are we one of those Christians who says they have no particular gift or talent to use in service of the Lord? Do we go to church, stand when the others stand, mumble our way through the singing because we can’t carry a tune in a bucket, and in every way lead a rather obscure life? Well perhaps we do far more than we realize. Maybe our greatest gift for the kingdom is to live out a godly life, and quietly tell people about Jesus in a non-demonstrative manner. Are we one of the great heroes for the kingdom that flies under the earthly radar, and that no one except God sees?
“And many came to him. And they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.””
John 10:41 ESV
John the Baptist was a man who lived in the wilderness, and told people about the coming Messiah. His greatest claim to fame was to baptize Jesus… no miracles, no great oration, not much to look at, and he wasn’t a snazzy dresser in his camel’s hair clothing. All in all he was just an eccentric guy who never ate bread or drank wine, lived in the hills, and gruffly shouted that the Messiah was coming. Yet what he said was true, his life was a righteous one, people watched him, and God used him. Many of us today are a lot like John except we speak of a risen savior; a Messiah that has come, and will come again. We live nondescript lives except for the fact that we tell the truth about God, and Jesus Christ his Son, and we think that we are less than we actually are… we are humble, but in fact are ready to carry the sandals of Jesus wherever He might go…
““I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
Matthew 3:11 ESV
Many lessons have been taught on the gifts of the Spirit, and afterwards there are always those who say that they have no gift. I am always amazed because here is a Christian believer whose life shouts of Christ, and yet they can’t see Him in themselves. They meekly go about their day to day lives feeling spiritually less than they are, and all the while they are mightily serving the kingdom in all they do. They believe though they feel unworthy, and they pray for God to use them despite the fact that He is already doing so. They have the gifts of perseverance, humility, unwavering faith, and they are humble as Jesus was humble, yet like John the Baptist they don’t perform miracles, so they feel they have no gifts.
“The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Matthew 23:11-12 ESV
I know a godly woman who sits in the pews at church and quietly listens to the sermon each Sunday. In a crowd you would not notice her, and I am certain that she feels spiritually less than those around her, but if you talk to her about Jesus, He flows from her like honey, and the love in her voice melts you. I have never been hugged by an angel, but If you are ever fortunate enough to have this woman hug you then I am certain you will agree that an angel could not warm your heart as thoroughly. She probably feels that she has no particular gift or talent to give in service to the kingdom of God, and yet her cup runs over. Her life shouts of Christ, she will touch your arm soft as velvet as she says “God bless you”, and her eyes are His when she looks at you. She is most certainly one of the great heroes for the kingdom that no one except God , and a few fortunate earthly souls, sees.
““Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
Matthew 5:3, 5, 8 ESV
So if you feel less, you aren’t, and if you think that you possess no gift, or talent that God can use, you are wrong. Abiding in you is Jesus Christ, and in Him you are more than can ever be imagined… you are one of Heaven’s great heroes, and are gifted in ways that will one day amaze you.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your many blessings, and the gifts you have given us. Help us to use each one, even those we don’t see, or realize we possess, as we witness and do your will. One day we will see how you have used us Father, and we pray that you will be pleased. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who gives us gifts according to your needs, and the plan you have for our lives as we do your will. Praised be your name for every unknown or hidden gift we possess, and we pray that you will reveal them to us in all their glory on the day of judgement. Merciful are you who uses us to advance your kingdom in ways we don’t see or understand. Sufficient is your grace, and amazing the love you have for us, and we thank you as we witness of them quietly through our lives, and speak of you in the meek, and humble voices that we often feel are not powerful enough to deliver the truth of them. Wash us in the blood of Jesus, and bathe us in your glory as you wipe away every sin, and walk through eternity with us. We pray that you will show us the unknown miracles that have been worked by the gifts you bestowed on us, and that they will have brought you glory on top of glory. Seat us at your table Father, and let that moment become the greatest gift that you have given us!
Rich Forbes