https://odb.org/MY/2021/10/22/live-to-serve
It is undeniable that every one of us has unique gifting and talents from God as much as our personality and character are unique. Our upbringing, school, college, work, family, early investments by our parents when we were young like music, taekwando or kumon lessons and our interactions with friends, church members, work colleagues, customers, clients or vendors all helped shape us to be who we are today. In the process, we discover and develop our gifting and talents, harnessing on and uncovering those that God had prepared for us before we were even born.
Some of us are good in music, some in computers, some in taking beautiful and inspiring photos. Some of us could paint or draw very well. Yet some of us could cook delicious dishes or bake nice cookies and cakes. Others have a knack for reaching out to people, while there are some who serve very well. Some of us may have a good listening ear, yet others are excellent counsellors or life coaches. Some of have a teacher’s bend while others could be more pastoral or prophetic or are good at church planting.
The point today is to go out there to serve and help people. Christian life may be about our personal relationship with Christ but it is also about serving God and people. It is extrinsic living as much as it is an intrinsic experience. What is inside must come out to meet the world. The tyre needs to meet the road, it needs shed its thread, lose some of its rubber in the process. James taught in James 2:17 that faith without works is dead. Someone said before that the more we receive from God, the more we should give and as we give, God will give us more. How apt! Speaks of our blessings from God, our gifting, our talents and our lives. The more we give of our lives – the more love, joy and peace we will receive. The more of the “life in Christ” will we receive.
Everyone of us face different challenges in life and that includes different challenges in our walk of faith. Whether it is dealing with bad habits, habitual sins, unforgiveness, stubbornness, pride or trying to be the best we can be in our work or even trying to make ends meet in this pandemic era. The point is that the gifting and talents that we have should not be hidden. It should be used to help others, to serve. We need to place our lamp at the top of the hill, not keep it hidden. It is paradoxical, but strange as it may seem, the more we come out of our shell and help others and serve, the stronger we will become to face life issues. Faith without works is dead as good deeds will activate the faith in us. As we find we have a purposeful life, we will be more motivated to do more and it will become an upward whirlwind to the heavens. We will be at the mountain top of hope and not the valley of despair. Service creates hope for those we serve but it also gives us hope for ourselves. Never be shy or afraid to use the gifting God gives us to serve others. That’s our destiny as a believer, make it our legacy too!
Ronnie's Thoughts 