In the first portion of my post I delved into the idea that the talents and gifts that God has placed in us are like prescription glasses specially designed by Him for us to use in the local church and beyond. In this part I would like to share some thoughts that the Lord has given me about some possible pit falls that we could encounter when we forget that our gifts come from Him and are to be used for His glory.
Problems always arise when we start to focus on our gifts with a prideful eye. This happens when we forget that our gifts come from God as He wills. He fashioned us for specific roles in His kingdom and we all need to remember that He knows how we can function best in the places that he calls us to be a part of. No matter how well someone can sing, play an instrument, or proclaim His word in speech, pen, or keyboard, He is the source of everything.
Problems always arise when we start to focus on our gifts with a prideful eye. This happens when we forget that our gifts come from God as He wills. He fashioned us for specific roles in His kingdom and we all need to remember that He knows how we can function best in the places that he calls us to be a part of. No matter how well someone can sing, play an instrument, or proclaim His word in speech, pen, or keyboard, He is the source of everything.
We also need to be careful not to get envious of others because of what He has placed in them. We can get quickly disheartened as we focus on what God has blessed others with and start down that slippery road of thinking things like “How come I can’t sing or play like that”, or “Wow, I wish I could speak or write as good as so and so”. Every gift and talent has been given to each of us by the grace of God so we have no reason to be envious of others, we should focus on what God has put in us and rely on His grace and power to develop them.
If we cannot step out and use our own glasses, we can never clearly see and walk in the path God has for us.
Another issue that could inhibit the fulfillment of our calling is the mentor or leader that has been training us. For various reasons they could become hesitant or unwilling to let us leave the nest as it were. Sometimes it could be that they do not think we are ready and may seem to act like over-protective spiritual parents. But if we cannot step out and use our own glasses, we can never clearly see and walk in the path God has for us. In this case I believe that we need to pray that God will open their eyes to see that we are gifted differently in order to complement each other and strengthen the whole body of Christ (Rom.12:4,5).
So if you are a new believer, I encourage you to seek out more mature believers and learn everything you can about how to walk in the grace and calling of our blessed Lord (1 Pet.2:2,3; Heb.13:7). Please seek God and His wisdom and timing to begin to use the glasses that He has made especially for you. If you are a mature believer; please ask the Lord to guide you to a new believer, and with your pastor’s permission begin to train those that are new to the faith (Col.1:28, Psalm 145:4).
Please use His wisdom and guidance for every endeavor, and to know when they are ready to use their own glasses efficiently for the kingdom of God. When the whole body is properly equipped and operating in the gifts and callings that God has purposed for each one of us, we will be amazed at the signs, wonders, and miracles that He will perform in us and through us.
John Clark
So if you are a new believer, I encourage you to seek out more mature believers and learn everything you can about how to walk in the grace and calling of our blessed Lord (1 Pet.2:2,3; Heb.13:7). Please seek God and His wisdom and timing to begin to use the glasses that He has made especially for you. If you are a mature believer; please ask the Lord to guide you to a new believer, and with your pastor’s permission begin to train those that are new to the faith (Col.1:28, Psalm 145:4).
Please use His wisdom and guidance for every endeavor, and to know when they are ready to use their own glasses efficiently for the kingdom of God. When the whole body is properly equipped and operating in the gifts and callings that God has purposed for each one of us, we will be amazed at the signs, wonders, and miracles that He will perform in us and through us.
John Clark
John Clark is a husband to Julie, a father of one son living in Valrico, Florida. He has an Associate Degree of Theology from Life Christian University, and serves at Life Center of Brandon where he is a teacher and writer.