Devotionals for the Heart: God gives us each a unique gift to use for Him

Celebrating the Gifts that Fit Us Perfectly
A devotional by Sarah Cole

“Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them so everyone may see your progress.”—1 Timothy 4:14-15 (NIV)

I'm as organized as a pile of Legos.

By the end of the day, I've left a trail of scattered papers and belongings everywhere with no rhyme or reason or place to call home. My messiness often overwhelms me, yet it doesn’t define me because I've embraced God’s unconditional love and learned to focus on the gifts I was born with.

My creativity started developing the day I opened my first box of crayons. For days, I stayed in my room, nurturing my inner Picasso. Then, I started designing cartoon characters and greeting cards for my mother. Today, my upstairs loft is my escape from the chaos, where I channel my creativity into a greeting card that hits a sweet spot in my soul.

I sometimes envy women whose homes are tidy and organized. But resisting the way God made me is futile. Given the choice, I’d much rather spend an afternoon sketching than color code my sock drawer or label my pantry inventory. Instead of trying to fit into someone else’s mold, I've learned to celebrate the gifts that fit me perfectly, giving me a deep sense of joy and contentment.

When we compare ourselves to what we see others excelling at, we forget that our uniqueness flows out of us as naturally as our breath and is God's paintbrush on life's canvas. God has a purpose for everything He created, and we honor Him by being true to how He designed us.

The Apostle Paul's words to Timothy are a powerful reminder. Paul encouraged Timothy to devote himself to his ministry, trusting that God would accomplish great things through him. In Greek, the word for gift is charismata, which refers to the various spiritual gifts within Timothy and all believers. The elders who laid hands on him recognized God's call on his life, a testament to the importance of trusting in God's plan and the hope it brings.

Instead of chasing dreams that don’t fit us, like Timothy, we should embrace our calling and use it to glorify God. The world is better when we allow the Holy Spirit to inspire our efforts, and we accomplish more than we dare imagine.

Maybe, like me, you aren't the most organized woman on the block, but you were born to do something unforgettable. What better way to honor God than by embracing what comes naturally instead of wasting energy on what doesn't? God loves you too much to keep you from fulfilling your purpose. What great news!

Let's Pray:

Father God,

I'm in awe of how you designed this world, but sometimes, I doubt how you created me. When my weaknesses discourage me, comparing myself to others is easy. Remind me that You designed me for a specific purpose only I can accomplish. When You created me, You broke the mold, so instead of neglecting my gifts, I give You glory by using them daily. In Jesus's Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Many Gifts, One Spirit” by Allen Pote. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Sarah Cole’s interest in writing began in grade school when her poem was published in the local paper. Since then, she has written for her college newspaper and two community newspapers where she wrote restaurant reviews and articles for their ‘best of’ spread. 

Her experience as an administrator in the marketing field gave her the opportunity to write ads for a local business journal.

After a 20-year detour and a three-year season of adversity, God reignited her passion to write. Two divine appointments later, the short story she wrote about her father appeared in the St. Paul Almanac, and a short story about her cocker spaniel Gigi was published in Mysterious Ways by Guideposts. She believes her adversity was worth the lessons God taught her.

Sarah's devotionals have been published in David C. Cook’s The Quiet Hour and Devotions, The Secret Place by Judson Press, and Pray a Word a Day by Guideposts. Her short story will be featured in an upcoming book, Too Amazing For Coincidence, also to be published by Guideposts. To this day, Sarah smiles, pinches herself and gives God all the glory.

When she's not writing, she's enjoying her hobbies that include dog sitting, watching cooking shows and taking day trips.

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Connect with Sarah:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smittyc65
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@SarahCo45835279
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarah.cole.52

Devotionals for the Heart: How to discover the gifts God gave to you

Finding Your Sacred Trust
A devotional by Sharon Musgrove

“Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News! If I were doing this on my own initiative, I would deserve payment. But I have no choice, for God has given me this sacred trust.” –1 Corinthians 9:16-17 NLT

The last three years have brought great personal change in my life (retirement, children moving away, purchasing vacation property, parents dying, and loss of church community).

I’ve found myself feeling purposeless and unfocused. It reminded me of my early college years when I was expected to know what I was moving toward, but no job title motivated. This time I spent long hours “discovering myself” as a means of determining what special gift God might want to develop in me. I’ve been asking, “Lord, what do you want of me now?”

Have you wondered what specific role God envisioned when He mixed your DNA?

Two years ago, I was studying the spiritual gifts in Ephesians 4:11 (NLT): “Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.” I defined these five titles and tried to pinpoint which one my 40 years of Christian experience qualified me for. Over the next twenty-four months I took personality tests. I participated in Zoom trainings on finding my unique design. I scoured the Bible, prayed, journaled, read books, and counseled with trusted friends and a therapist. All those insights were helpful in inching toward what was more “me”, but none of it was feet on the ground action.

I wanted to get there already!

And then, I began yet another Bible study. As I worked my way through the early chapters of 1 Corinthians, my peripheral vision picked up on the upcoming chapter on spiritual gifts. Was I wandering around the same mountain?

But here the Apostle Paul’s words about preaching in 1 Corinthians 9:16 stuck out to me as if in a bold font. The text reads, “I am compelled by God to do it.” A new question hit me: What is the thing I have been doing all my life that I must still do?

Suddenly, it was clear that I had already been in the habit of serving in my designated duty! It was so simple, going unnoticed, because I so easily answer “yes” when the requests come around. In fact, I seek out opportunities to do it.

God has given me the sacred trust of hosting people in need in my home.

Looking back over three decades of marriage, my husband and I have housed some 16 households (from singles to families) for lengthy periods of time. In 2020, we purchased a vacation home with the intent of gifting it to weary Christians who need replenishment. This year we added a third location.

How had I missed hospitality as being my special gift?

Honestly, my propensity for black and white thinking gets in the way too often. Without an official “Shepherd” placard for the wall, I couldn’t see the connection. And church culture can sometimes suggest that volunteer roles are the only way a Christian behaves. Shuttling newcomers through entry level services, like greeting or serving coffee, can keep them from developing into their full potential. But only within the walls of the church building. God, however, will never leave an eager believer stunted in spiritual growth. He will produce fruit in the lives of His children even when we don’t count it as such.

If you are as confused as I had been, let Paul’s passion help you think outside the box of Christian service. Do not think for one moment that God has passed you by on a special sacred trust! He has a compelling gift for others that comes through you!

God uses your heart and talents to serve Him by serving other people.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for creating each one of us perfectly and for a special purpose in Your Kingdom! We know that You have implanted desires in the hearts of every individual and that we can follow this sacred trust. Reveal this unique service to each person who asks. 

In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

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Author Bio:

Sharon Musgrove is a self-proclaimed sociologist. The opportunities opened to her, over the years, have led her on a fascinating journey observing human behavior.

She has a diverse background in business, fitness, and health industries. This background led her to a unique position writing curriculum and teaching for two private, Christ-based, residential recovery programs. Both programs primarily served women in the homeless community.

Sharon has traveled multiple times to Kenya, serving on medical teams and teaching in the rural Maasai communities. She’s been privileged to participate in Leadership camps for maturing young women. These annual camps have a mission of encouraging and empowering the impoverished, underprivileged, and often abused young Maasai girls.

Identifying personally with the brokenness of the women she’s served, Sharon sees all people as needing more encouragement regardless of cultural or socioeconomic status. Within these ministries, Sharon has witnessed the transformative power of loving words spoken to the broken-hearted. Sharing God’s love and witnessing its transformative power has become her passion.

In her leisure time, Sharon enjoys her garden, health food, travel, and a good story. She and her husband, Jeff, divide their time between Oregon and Hawaii. They have two grown children. Currently, Sharon is encouraging others via her inspirational blog, but prefers sharing face to face. Additionally, she is studying Christian fiction writing.

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Connect with Sharon:
Website/Blog: Sharonmusgrove.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Sharon-Musgrove-Untethered-102208978041060
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonmusgrove_untethered/