To God be the glory…

1 Peter 4: 10. “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace; whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
 
Spiritual gifts in the body differ greatly. A gift you possess may not be on another’s radar screen at all. For instance, Jacob informed me he’d like to get the community garden up and producing again soon. The only reason I’d have a “green thumb” would be the result of a broken chip in a jar of guacamole that I’d attempt to retrieve without using a knife. John Piper once said, “The prism of your life will retract one of the colors of grace that would never come through my prism.” Unity in diversity is what makes the Lord’s church so functional. Energy is used by a person working in the kingdom of God. If only select parts of the body are in motion, the other parts atrophy. Synergy, on the other hand, is the result of ALL parts working together to produce a result far greater than could be accomplished by one. One of the worst ways we in the church have tried to lead people into utilizing their spiritual gifts has been guilt. You may have been prodded by guilt into doing something that really didn’t connect with your God-given talent.  The result was certainly less than favorable. You may have burnt out on that ministry. You may have become bitter or even resentful to the point you almost threw in the towel. Result-driven, forced religion can easily lead to that end. I’ve experienced it, personally. Instead of resorting to guilt to receive results, why not use glory? If I know whatever I do will result in giving God more glory, I’m going to be far more receptive to that than I would be if I did it simply because “nobody else will do it.” If you begrudgingly do something in the kingdom of God unwillingly, it will be evident. But, if you do something in the kingdom of God that makes your Heavenly Father smile, you’ll do it with a completely different mindset. The next time you engage in a task, silently say to yourself: “To God be the glory.” And, whistle while you work…it makes people wonder what you’re up to!
Have a blessed day and remember the One who gave it to you!                                                                                             Kevin