Today's Service Inspiration

Good afternoon.  I'm back again with a few thoughts about the message our pastor gave this morning.  Pastor Bob (well, that's what he goes by.  His 'official' name is Robert.) started a series about unlocking our potential.  Today's message was called "Finding Your Fit" and talked about spiritual gifts.

For a little background, spiritual gifts are God-given abilities.  There are about 16 categories they'll fall into, but I'm not getting into what they all are right now.  I'll have other blogs about my introspection into my ability or not to use each one.

I think that, following the path of my last post, I'm going to write today about a Bible verse from the selection he quoted.  1 Peter 4:10 in the New International Version (NIV) states: "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."  This was written in a section of a letter to Christian groups in what now is Central Turkey.  Peter was writing to encourage them in the way they were living for God.

This verse grabbed my attention because, like I said, it seems to be a Biblically-based confirmation of what has been seeping into my awareness this last week.  It feels like I'm getting a little nudge in this.  You know what I mean?  You saw the type in those "Rocky"-types of movies -- the fighter is standing back into the corner of the ring.  He's not sure if he wants to go out there for another round.  But there's his trainer, and he's SURE the fighter can take out the other guy.  The trainer's up behind the fighter, rubbing his shoulders, and giving the fighter a little pep talk.  The trainer, of course, ends with a "now, go get 'em!" And the hands that were just massaging and supportive are now down on the fighter's shoulder blades and lovingly, but firmly shoving the fighter back into the center of the ring to fight.  That's how it felt this morning as I was listening to Pastor Bob read it out loud.

I now realize how much I have been neglecting my gifts.  My abilities have been gathering dust.  I know a few of them and I've been given the perfect opportunity to discover more.  It feels like this week has been "the pep talk" and today's verse is Jesus saying "now, go get 'em!"  The difference between the fighter and me -- my Trainer is out here in the ring with me and together we'll get through anything.

Pastor Bob's message today gave me a lot of encouragement and some practical and applicable information about looking for, developing, and properly using my gifts.  I have gotten some things to mull over.  Ultimately though, I love getting presents from people and I appreciate them.  How much more then that I love, appreciate, and share the gifts I have received from God!