I was thinking about gifts. I’ve written and spoken so much about it, and yet I’ve completely missed one major truth about gifts. Okay, we know we’ve all received a set of gifts. 

But why was it given to us? What was God’s idea when He decided that all people who are created must have something special? Was it given to people for their use and to colour their own lives? 

It hits me like a bucket of cold water. Gifts were not given for personal use, but to make a difference in other people’s lives. God has given us gifts to share in the world. 

The world would look so much different if all the world’s inhabitants realise that they’ve been given tools to colour other people’s lives. For sure, there will be much less need, no hunger, broken relationships will be healed, and much more.  

These days you get a national day for just about everything. Did you know there is a national day for moles and even for garlic? There are even special days for nerds. 

Maybe we should declare a national day for gifts. And on that day, you must use all your energy by using your gifts to do something for others. I suspect it would be almost like Nelson Mandela Day when people are encouraged to remember Nelson Mandela and the difference he made, and then to go and make a difference in their own environment. 

If the whole world buys into this and people use their gifts for one day, it will make a big difference in many people’s lives. But actually, gifts were not given to be unwrapped and used only once a year. 

We received gifts to use every day everywhere we go. It’s a command: 10… 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.  

Living your talents is not a choice. We must do it every day. Actually, when we get up in the morning, we have to remind ourselves of this instruction and go look for places where we can use our talents to make a difference in other people’s lives. 

Lita (not her real name) tells of her son who, as a 12-year-old, had to stand at the grave of a fellow student who took his own life. She writes: 

It was so painful to see the little twelve-year-olds burying their friend. When I saw my son and his friends’ tears, my heart sank, but I was so proud of him for being there for his friends in his small way. The principal said that he chose him to be the head boy because he could keep everyone calm and keep peace on the playground. 

A twelve-year-old boy who lives his gifts fully and makes a difference in the lives of others. May this encourage us to use our gifts every day for the benefit of all those we meet. 

Scripture
1 Peter 4:7-11 

Reflection
What do your gifts look like?
Where should you use them?
Which people should you share them with? 

Prayer
Father, thank you for every gift I’ve received from you. Help me to use them well every day and make a difference in the lives of others. I ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.