I am always amazed at
the potential talents that we have as creations of God. We all have different
combinations of abilities and talents, and we can learn so many things that are
beyond our native environment. The programming is there, even when
there has been no "evolutionary" reason for it. For example, my
husband was born with a talent for mechanical things even though his family is
from an technological undeveloped area. In fact, the many of the potentials
that we are created with have no logical explanation.
We are born with talents that are given to us for our benefit and for us to serve each other; but they are usually part of our own self-centered lives. It's all about what we need, what we want, what will get attention and praise for us. Even when we do use them to benefit others, there is usually an element of self-esteem and expectations of some sort of return. That's life on the human level. But even at this level, we are called to make good and responsible use of the strengths of our initial programming.
Bring God into the picture--where He belongs! And things should change. But even still, it's hard to get out of the habit of putting ourselves first. A friend was telling me the other day that I need to pray for what I want with the sense that the Universe will be influenced by my efforts. There have been times that I've wanted something that I had a pretty good suspicion that it wouldn't be good for me in the long run.
We are born with talents that are given to us for our benefit and for us to serve each other; but they are usually part of our own self-centered lives. It's all about what we need, what we want, what will get attention and praise for us. Even when we do use them to benefit others, there is usually an element of self-esteem and expectations of some sort of return. That's life on the human level. But even at this level, we are called to make good and responsible use of the strengths of our initial programming.
Bring God into the picture--where He belongs! And things should change. But even still, it's hard to get out of the habit of putting ourselves first. A friend was telling me the other day that I need to pray for what I want with the sense that the Universe will be influenced by my efforts. There have been times that I've wanted something that I had a pretty good suspicion that it wouldn't be good for me in the long run.
When things don't go our
way, we should remember " Since Jesus went through everything
you’re going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your
sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get
your own way. Then you’ll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God
wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want ".(I Peter 4:1-2)
And our "wants" can become our master! Recognizing and surrendering is not something that comes easy to us. I been reminded (sometimes the learning the hard way) that God is smarter than I am, and knows what is best for me, and He needs me to give Him some room to work. And as committed followers of Jesus, we are given gifts of abilities and callings over and above with what we have on the human level. Ideally, we can make the best of both: use our inborn talents working with our God-given spiritual gifts--these things that are given for us to use to serve God, and use in His name.
And our "wants" can become our master! Recognizing and surrendering is not something that comes easy to us. I been reminded (sometimes the learning the hard way) that God is smarter than I am, and knows what is best for me, and He needs me to give Him some room to work. And as committed followers of Jesus, we are given gifts of abilities and callings over and above with what we have on the human level. Ideally, we can make the best of both: use our inborn talents working with our God-given spiritual gifts--these things that are given for us to use to serve God, and use in His name.
And as we grow in
relationship with Him, everything should grow in the opportunities and places
God puts us. We are created to do more than we can do on the human level
(this can be twisted into greater evil than we can control, as well): "Be
generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get
in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty
help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through
Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in
everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!" (I Peter 4:10-11,
The Message)
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