Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “The Gift of Being Yourself”
Our Bible verse for today: “Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. And there are different activities, but the same God produces each gift in each person. A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (CSB)
Our thought for today: “Pay attention to how God has created you.”
What do you truly love to do? What activities or tasks bring you fulfillment and satisfaction at a deep level? Pay attention to those feelings because that’s a pretty good indication of how God created you, and of what kind of things will bring you the most satisfaction and joy in life.
I know a young man who has been interested in dance since as far back in his life as he can remember. There was something deep inside of him that caused him to want to move with smooth fluid movements in time to music. As he was growing up and pursing his passion, he received a lot of ridicule for it from other kids and from some of his siblings. To his credit, he pursed it anyway and today he runs his own dance studio. I know another Christian young man who is a barber and a musician. He loves to cut hair and he loves to play his guitar, sing, and write songs. So that’s what he does for a living, he cuts hair and performs music. He followed his heart and he is thoroughly enjoying using the skills and talents the Lord has given him. Perhaps you remember the story of the Olympic runner Eric Liddell. He said that God created him to be fast. He loved to run and when he did, he believed he could sense the pleasure of God. Eric used his God-given athletic gift of speed to bring glory to God and to set an example for others.
I also know a man who is a skilled craftsman – he is a general handyman but he is especially gifted at carpentry. He is very good at those crafts and he enjoys doing them. But that’s not how he makes his living. Instead he does something he doesn’t really like very much and which he would prefer to not be doing. How sad. Far too many people go to work every day to a job they hate and meanwhile they have skills and abilities, given to them by God, things which they truly enjoy doing, but which they have failed to pursue and develop.
I encourage you to pay attention to how God has made you. Listen to your heart. God has given you passions, skills, and abilities and He wants you to use them. This is an important clue about what it means for you to just be you. We’ll think more about this tomorrow.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 