SPECIAL GIFTS
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ.
Ephesians 4:7 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
Look closely at “special gift.” I grew up wanting to be a musician or singer. I admired those who had musical talent. For four years I took piano lessons once a week. Then I took a year of guitar lessons. Then I tried private voice lessons. However, I was not created with the ear for music.
I ran into the trap a lot of people get stuck in—the trap of comparison. I looked at those with musical gifts and compared myself with them. Since I didn’t measure up to their skill level, I felt God had given me a raw deal. Why did other people get all the talent?
The Holy Spirit had to really work on me to convince me that music was not the gift that God had for me. God’s gift for me was in being a pastor and teacher of the Word.
As I began the journey toward my gifting I fell into another trap, the trap of conformity. I found preachers I liked and tried to talk like them, dress like them, and act like them. Instead of being the person God created me to be, I was a cheap replica of someone else.
There are a lot of people falling into traps of comparison and conformity. Both traps rob people of their self-worth and satisfaction.
We should be spending time with the Holy Spirit to determine the “special gift” He has given to us. We should be enjoying the expression of gifts that God wants to release through us.
You were born an original, don’t die a copy!
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit help me to see the “special gift” You have created in me. Help me to be the person You want me to be.
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