When I was still in school, I realized that I had a love for writing, and for poetry. I’ve written several poems, songs, and short stories since then and really have enjoyed writing this blog. I have even developed my own written language based on English. (26 letters A-Z) I came up with that while playing D&D when I was in the Navy twenty years ago. I’m a voracious reader, and I can read and speak two languages other than English (although not fluently due to lack of use.) Those are just some of my abilities. I’m not bragging, I’m trying to make a point, please bear with me. I’m sure if I listed all of my abilities and you listed all of yours, we would find things we could both do, and things one of us could do, but the other couldn’t.
What we have to remember is that we each have abilities suited to the job God has planned for us. Our abilities are gifts from God. I could brag about my abilities about as much as I could my height or hair color. I had no input in any of those things. I have to consider my abilities when I think about where best to serve God. Maybe he wants me to write a newsletter; or to translate the recaps (but computer programs can do that these days). Maybe he wants me to use one of my other gifts. God doesn’t want any of my gifts going to waste.
My personality is another key to where I can best serve God. I’m introverted; I’m passionate; I’m a bit choleric and a bit sanguine. I’m pretty adaptable when in a crowd. I can be a social butterfly, but other times I’m a total wall flower. It really depends on several things, some of which I don’t even understand. In high school, I had friends in drama and debate, varsity letter men, cheerleaders, head bangers, punks, and troublemakers. I was one of few people in my school that never worried about what bathroom I was using, who I was seen with or dated, or what park I walked through at night. With each group I had something to share, and I took something away from too. Actually, it was my association with the troublemakers that led me to join the Navy via a night spent in an 63rd precinct holding cell.
I’ve talked several times about my experiences. A while ago I accepted that they all happened to help shape me for God’s service. The author breaks down our experiences into groups; my family, school, work, spiritual, ministry, and painful experiences all prepared me to serve God. I’ve covered most of these but to use a big brush stroke: I come from a broken home, complete with step-mom and half siblings. I graduated high school at age seventeen and six months and went straight into the Navy. While in the Navy, I met a guy who worked for the company I now work for. I told him bluntly that I wanted his job and he helped me get it. I’ve come a long way from where I started.
One day while walking on a beach in California and feeling quite alone, a stone washed up at my feet. The kind of stone I used to find in NY, not the kind you expect on a sandy beach. I still tell people about it. It was a very spiritual experience for me. It was God, giving me an anchor. I still have it, 13 years later. I’ve acted in a few church dramas; I served in the choir and now am working behind the scenes with the sound. And the most painful experience I’ve talked about here is almost losing my house while I was working 800 miles away from my family.
Now two paragraphs don’t even come close to summing up the core of my experiences. I wanted to tell you a bit of my story to give you something to think about in your own life. I look back at all those things I’ve mentioned, and the ones I’ve left out, and I see God’s hand at work in my life. He has been shaping me for my perfect job. But please be patient with me, He’s not finished with me yet. Has He started His work in you yet? I bet He has.
Even if all you know about God is what you’ve been hearing me babble about for the last month or so, He’s working. If you still haven’t accepted Him as your Savior, He’s working to establish a foothold. If you want to know more about accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, contact me. This paragraph is being written through teary eyes. I didn’t start this blog to lead anyone to Jesus, but right now the Holy Spirit is pressing on me the need to open this door for you. I don’t know who you are yet; I don’t know what day you’re reading this, but I am writing to you for Him, and only you know who you are.
The Bible verse is from the apostle Peter:
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
1 Peter 4:10
What God-given ability or personal experience can I offer my church? I’ve already given some of my abilities in service at the church. I can still offer to be a counselor to youth from broken homes.
Remember: Nobody else can be me.
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