Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt
Have you ever heard anyone say, “You can do anything you set your mind to!” Those words are spoken usually with good intentions as a source of encouragement, but they aren’t always true. People can’t always do anything they set their mind to unless they are gifted by God to do it. When people are told “they can do anything” and they set out to do things they weren’t called or gifted to do because they admire it in someone else, disappointment eventually comes. All my life I’ve listened to gifted singers and wished (and even secretly tried to sing like them.) But the truth is, I could never be a gifted singer. I wasn’t built with that gifting. If I get jealous or envious of others with that gifting because they have it and I want it, but won’t admit that I don’t have it, I hurt myself and set myself up for disappointment.
Phil 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Was the Apostle Paul offering hype? Of course not! The Lord isn’t saying that you can do anything and everything – not even through Christ. What the Lord is saying is that you can do everything He has called and gifted you to do! He has called you to love others with His love, therefore you can be confident that you can do it with the personality and gifting He has given you. He has called you to walk in forgiveness; therefore you can be confident that you can to it. There are many things He has called us all to do. The things He has called us to do are the same things He has equipped us to do. He has equipped each of us with giftings and talents that will help lead us into our vocation and livelihood as well we serve the cause of Christ in the earth.
Let me give you a simple clue as to discovering your gifting. Just pay attention to how the love of God flows through you to others. This may seem over simplified, but I assure you it is a great revealer. The beauty of it is this; how you love others is very much tied to how your gifting works. Some people exhort others while some serve, some teach, some lead, some comfort, some instruct and more. When they do it, they thrive in it. Gifting and love flows through the same pipe with the same passion. Jesus said, “Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.” (John 13:34) That is the principle, but the method is loving others in the gifting that God has given you. A friend recently wanted to show his love and appreciation to me. He called and said, “Do you have a room in your house you need painted. God wants me to bless you and I want to do that for you.” He’s a painter and he was showing me his love through his gifting.
There are some things in my life that I am gifted to do and do well. The love of God flows through me in those giftings so they serve a double purpose and I am happy in the process because it’s what comes natural from me. It’s how I am gifted. I have some friends that have incredible giftings in things I stink at. I am not jealous. I appreciate their gifting and know that together we make up the entire body of Christ.
Psa 71:21 says, “You oh Lord will increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.” If you think of this verse in terms of your God-given gifting, the Lord will be able to help you achieve greater and greater success. He will because it’s what He gifted you to do. You will also experience greater and greater comfort on every side because you will be excelling in the right places surrounded where you gifting thrives.
In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt
Published by Pastor Tim Burt
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This is so true! I have been jealous before because I can not play the piano like others… No matter how hard I try or how much I practice! How music and notes just click in their brains is astounding to me… I finally had to realize that I will play as unto the Lord.. And do my best not to compare myself or my talents to theirs. Easier said than done at times but it helps me not be so frustrated.
Posted by danelle84 | March 18, 2011, 1:47 am