The Gift Goes On. . .

Oh, I’m so embarrassed! There I was at a weekly Bible Study class minding my own business when the subject of spiritual gifts came up. People expressed thoughts, mostly on how they saw other people’s gifts to the body of Christ. Then it happened—someone very kindly mentioned they thought I had a gift of writing a blog that spoke to their lives.

My chin dropped to my chest and I squirmed in my chair as I sought to disappear. I was discomfited before heaven and earth—well at least before heaven and the others in the room. Remorse, regret, and repentance overwhelmed me. If my blog is indeed a gift for the body, I have been negligent to the gracious gift-giver and have set that little box up on a shelf.

My husband (generally my biggest supporter) pointed out that I hadn’t written since July. How did he know that? I had no clue of the time frame; but as I checked today, he was exactly right—July 3! Here it is eight months later and I’m embarrassed as I begin to wander once again through my thoughts. I frantically sought excuses.

Surely God knows I’ve been busy. Again, it was my darling husband that pointed out last night that I’ve been retired from my job for the past two months. Sigh! No excuse.

However, I’m not going to wallow alone in my embarrassment because just maybe the public reprimand of my shortcoming was a visual aid for YOU who might read this blog. Perhaps God is also asking you to consider the gifts you have been given that may be stored conveniently away on a shelf.

How thoughtless it is of us to take lightly what the Almighty God has given us, whether it be abilities, passions, or gentle nudges. So, here I am red-faced but eager to do God’s will. Now, it’s your turn—what gift do you need to unpack?