Lies Christian Women Believe – And Knock It Off : Lie #3 – I have gifts but no way to use them.

Hello again, Ladies.  Over the past couple weeks we have been busy exposing lies that our Enemy from down under (way under, not Australia) has been mailing us direct and sealing with an evil kiss.  These steaming packages come express delivery from Hell’s “Department of Deceptions and Distractions” right to our door.  Too often we sign for them, bring them in and open up trouble.  BUT no longer!  Through the truth of God’s word we are now gaining wisdom and slicing these lies to pieces.

So let’s get down to business on this next one too.  First, read parts 1 and 2 if you haven’t.  Lies we have dealt with already, 1.) I don’t fit in and I can’t connect.  2.) I don’t have any spiritual gifts.  These are outright lies – scripture tells us that if we are his, we are connected and part of the body whether we feel like it or not AND every Christian has been given gifts to use for the good of the whole Church body.  This leads us to #3…

LIE #3: I have gifts but no way to use them.  Malarkey, hogwash and poppycock!  (Yep, web thesaurus again, you need to try that thing).  I won’t even let this one slide.  Tell me, what kind of mean god would give you gifts and then not provide an opportunity to use them?  Is this some kind of sadistic cosmic joke?  Or do we have a random god who has no clear reason or purpose behind what he does?  I’ll say it again, poppycock!  Not the God I serve.  Nuh-uh.  No way.

“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” 1 Cor. 14:33a. Our God is a God of peace and order, he did not create chaos in Genesis, but set forth order with purpose.  Keep those words in mind when thinking of God– order with purpose.  This is true in creation, this is true in how God wrote out the salvation story and it is true for your life as well (remember we have a God concerned about individuals! See blog for lie #2).  God is the author of your story (Psalms 139:16).  It may not always feel like it, but God has put your life in divine order and assigned it specific purpose. 

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10.  This verse always excites me.  God has work for us to do (as individuals) that he prepared for us long ago.  Think: tailor made gifts for tailor made tasks.  Now that is an awesome, plan ahead, I’m-in-charge-and-I-know-what-I-am-doing kind of God. That is my God, thank you very much.  And yours too, so get out there and see what type of works he has for you!  Don’t wait for someone to tell you what to. 

There may be a specific role to plug into at the physical church building or maybe not.  But there are always, always, always ways to use your gifts for the good of the body.  Remember 1 Peter 4:10, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace”  If you are not using your gifts you are not being a good steward of the grace God has given you.  Count this as encouragement and a warning too.  Don’t be in a position where you are holding back from God (not cool).

So find ways to use your tailor made talents.  Here are some possible ideas: talk with other women at church and help them connect, write scripture verses out and give them to others for encouragement, make meals for busy new moms, go on a mission trip, study God’s word deeply, watch children for others in the church, lead a Bible study in your home, pray with someone, clean the church, teach children, sit with someone who is lonely, give hugs, build relationships with the young women in the church, ask someone what they need prayer for, greet others warmly and make them feel welcome at church, write notes of encouragement and mail them out, pray for someone new each day, read the Bible with someone, support missions, decorate the church or offer help in homes, paint, sit next to those who come to church alone, share your testimony, invite others into your home and show hospitality, invite someone to get coffee and talk about what you are reading in the Bible, play an instrument for praise, share your joy with someone, share someone’s burden, take a young lady to get her hair done and talk about purity, take a walk with someone and see how they are really doing.
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This list could go on for miles, you get the idea.  Now make yourself take the time to have your own brainstorming session.  Your God-given personality style will shape how you serve and love others.  Do not fall into the trap of gift comparison, each of us is unique.  Simple acts of service are demonstrations of a heart belonging to God and that’s what it’s all about.  You may not slash though a jungle in Guinea to spread the gospel (though you might), but you can build up the body with a smile and the sharing of God’s word right where you are.  Let’s not complicate what God has made plain. 
So, serve, love, teach, and encourage with God’s word.  Practice your gifts, stretch yourself and grow into the awesome story that he has written just for you.  It is oh, so good.