I am who I am. (And so are you.)

I’m a terrible singer. I feel lucky to play baseball. You can’t be gifted at everything. –Alex Rodriguez


I always enjoyed Christmas as a child (and as a parent and grandmother, too)! There they were, those beautifully wrapped packages under the tree, just waiting to be opened, to reveal whatever might be hiding inside, carefully chosen just for me, by someone who really loves me.

Most of the time, I really felt the love. The giver seemed to have peered into my heart and given me its deepest desire.

But other times, I could hardly believe my young eyes. Seriously? Underwear—for Christmas?!? (And I just opened it . . . in public. What were they thinking?) Even if it was a gift I needed, it certainly wasn’t one I wanted. Could I please just get what she got? Please???

It can be kind of like that in our spiritual lives, as well. God has created us each in God’s own image, given us gifts and talents to use for God’s purposes and glory. Some receive the gift of deep faith; others, the gift of leadership, or a generous spirit. Some may receive the gift of words or writing, while others are given a compassionate “pastor’s heart.”

Once in awhile, though, there’s that clinker, that gift we didn’t ask for and would just as soon trade for the one we wanted. But God has another plan. God knows, better than we can know, what’s needed and by whom, for God’s greater purpose. And it may be something you’d just as soon the world never see.

Try that gift on. Let God guide you as you learn to use it. And say thank you, with a big smile. Think of it as spiritual underwear.


Monday Remembering that Easter is a season (lasts until Pentecost), celebrate again some area in your life where you feel renewed. Give thanks. Psalm 118:22-24

Tuesday Think for a moment about the skills you use (or have used) in your job. Are you good at math or drawing charts? Teaching little children? (These are skills you can use for God’s glory; they are not necessarily spiritual gifts.) Matthew 9:9-12

Wednesday Do you consider yourself a generous giver? Pause and give thanks for the ways you can offer back to the most generous Giver of all. Nehemiah 5:3-6

Thursday How do you use your gifts and talents to the benefit of the Church? The ways you serve may very well be different from what you do in the world. Pray for God’s guidance in serving. Romans 13:8-10

Friday Try to remember a time when you received a gift you really didn’t want. How did you react? Did you give it away, or find a use for it after all? Romans 11:33-36

Saturday As you pray for yourself today, ask God to reveal a special gift God has given you. Rest—and give thanks. Romans 12:3-8

Sunday Look around your sanctuary this morning. How wonderful that we are all so different! Give thanks and sing for the diversity of gifts that, together, are the body of Christ. Joshua 24:14-15


We are all gifted, but we have to discover the gift, uncover the gift, nurture and develop the gift, and use it for the glory of God. –Louis Farrakhan

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