He's not finished with us yet!

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:10-11

God amazes me in so many ways when I think of how God has built me, how he built you, and our purpose.  He made us unique in so many ways and to fit into His plan.

Each of us have been given many gifts/blessings and should not only seek them out but then when you identify them, we need to use them for God's glory. Throughout the Bible you see where God has given a blessing and in the very next passage it says that the number of followers multiplied. So if that is the formula, every gift should be used to spread his word and multiply his numbers.

I once heard a story about a salesman with a pearl. This was no ordinary pearl, it was the most beautiful, most valuable, and most treasured pearl in existence. He came upon a man who wanted the pearl badly. The salesman informed him that anyone can have it but it is very expensive. The man agreed to pay whatever the cost and handed over all the contents in his wallet. The salesman laughed and proceeded to tell the man that it wasn't just his money in his wallet, but his entire bank account. The man thought he was done but the cost was still not met. The salesman took his house, his car, all his possessions, but also his wife, his kids and even his own life. The man was shocked at the cost but still wanted this pearl, asking the salesman "How am I supposed to live?" The salesman smiled and said I will give you all of this back and you may still have the pearl, but remember they are gifts now and at any time I may take them back. I am entrusting you to take care of these things and remember that they no longer belong to you. Please reassure me that I made a good investment in you and cherish these gifts I give to you and use them with me in mind. Know that I will never give up on you, but I do hope you make me proud. (FYI... in case you haven't figured this story out yet, the pearl is a representation of our salvation and the salesman is God)  

So what is God's? (Hint- all of it!)
***And by the way anything thing you think is yours, can be taken away***

• Possessions - all cars, clothing, house, everything inside the house
• Relationships - friends and family (This includes your children, I learned the hard way that they do not belong to me they were given to me to be a good steward of)
• Health - it is easy to get down when we are not feeling well, but our attitude should be positive when it isn't going perfect (I struggle with this one). I am amazed every time that I see a person who has some illness and yet has the most positive attitude (which I am sure helps in the healing). It motivates people, inspires people, and really teaches us how to behave when we are down.
• Abilities - These are the things God has blessed us in a unique way that we can help others. Sometimes these can be something God hardwired into you like ability to play music or draw. Sometimes (and this is harder) you are forged by fire (you are the clay and He is the potter). Like for me, the death of my son has given me the ability to connect and be there for others who have lost a child. 

To not use these blessings to help others would almost be like slapping God in the face. He gives us these things so that we may use them for His glory and share what He gives with others so that they may see Him. When you use the gifts He gave to you, most of the time you will be praised for them so let us remember to always give God the credit and the glory. Not that you shouldn't be happy you have them or proud for obeying, but it is ultimately God who gives and takes away and He gave them to us for His purpose. 

If you struggle with using these gifts the way God intended it (like I do) then realize that you are a working progress and thankfully God's love and salvation is not based upon our works. We should continue to strive to serve Him, never give up, never stop trying. He is not finished with us yet!

Lord, I pray that you open our eyes to the many things you have blessed us with. I pray that you help us in coming up with our own ways to help those who need it and to be bold in sharing our faith. In Jesus Name Amen