Gift Received

1 Peter 4:10 “God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” ~NLT
 
I played football from 5 years old to 12th grade. I developed into a very impressive cornerback and strong safety.  Often, I thought I would become a professional football player but that dream never happened.  Why don’t some things fall in place when the chances look so good? Maybe it’s because if it’s not in God’s plan, we should be happy those things don’t happen.
 
On the other hand, little did I know, that during the same time I trained so hard to play football, I was spiritually being trained to do something else.  In elementary school I drew comic books. I used to pass them around to my friends in school and they would read them.  I would always leave them ‘hanging’ at the end of the comic so that they would want to read the next one.
 
I continued to draw in High School but no longer drew comics.  Drawing and writing comic books were the foundation that would later lead me to another type of writing. During the late 80’s and mid-90’s, I wrote three books.  I never published these books but instead wrote them as a hobby. 
 
It wasn’t until 2017 when God would show me why He trained me spiritually in the ‘literary arts’ for all those years.  I co-wrote with my wife our first published book concerning marriage ministry. Later that year I began to write devotionals.  God allowed me to use my testimonies and mix them with His Word to serve others and allow Him to save lives through my actions in writing.  This is a gift God has given me and I gratefully accept.  In other words, even if I wanted something else for my life, if God is not in the plan, I don’t want it.
 
Think about this: if you feel stuck in an area you are strong in, search yourself through God’s Word and see if that’s really where God wants you to be. Just because we may be good in the area we are in, doesn’t necessarily mean we are on the ‘path prepared’ for us.
 
The scripture above says “Based on the gift each one has received…”  The gift given from above was given from, “…His great variety of spiritual gifts…” and must be recognized.  Each one of us has a gift from His variety of spiritual gifts.  Our own custom-made gifts for Him to use through us for our own individual purpose in this world. This gift will not allow us to be ‘stuck’.  Instead, this gift will allow us to bring meaning, light and hope to those God places in our path. 
 
This gift can only be used if received.  I didn’t receive the gift of written testimony until I submitted and gave my life to Christ. It was then the Lord allowed me to realize that I had this gift from Him all the time. Scriptures saved my life and made me aware of the beauty in an otherwise dark world. We all have access to that.
 
A great tool for seeking God’s Word for direction is through devotionals.  Feel free to grab a copy of my new book, ‘Testimonies of Faith and Encouragement: A Weekly Devotional’ at this link: bit.ly/testimoniesoffaith
 
Allow God to take you to your place of purpose, so that you can be aware of the beauty of God’s existence and His power as He uses you to save lives. May God continue to bless you with His healing, direction, and love as you walk in Jesus’ name. 

​Amen

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