God has given each of us gifts to make a difference in the lives of others. Some in one or two but others in many people’s lives. 

Peter was a fisherman, and the experts today are unsure if he could write, but as a young Jew, he most likely had to learn the Torah by heart. But no matter, he had someone to help him with his writing. 12I’m sending this brief letter to you by Silas, a most dependable brother. I have the highest regard for him. 

And writing was his gift. I suspect it’s mine too. And do you know how much pleasure it gives me when I’ve written something, and it means something to someone else? If I can make a difference in other people’s lives with my talent, I’m always over the moon. 

A friend of mine’s father took his two brothers out of school after grade 10 to help with the plant hire business. When my friend finished 10th grade, the principal recommended that he be allowed to finish 12th grade because, said the principal: “The youngest one has a lot of potential.” 

At the end of grade 11, his father couldn’t take it anymore and took him out of school. Soon after, he made his way to collect his papers as a mechanic. 

It was there in the workshop that he started asking the right financial questions, so much so that the auditors told his father he should rather work in the office. Before long he was handling the big company’s finances. 

He started rubbing shoulders with prominent men in big mining businesses where up to 200 of their business’s mining vehicles were carting around mining dust while searching for more gold every day. 

When he put the new annual increases on the table, which made the big bosses’ eyes widen even wider, he calmly suggested that they should then instead put out a tender again. This time 28 men applied to take over the contract. 

And when the (mine) dust settled, it was once again he and his brother who were called to the boardroom by the clever guys. And even though his increase was then a few per cent more than what they started with, his lorries were running calmly between the mine heaps again. I suspect it’s because he is a man you can count on. 

You see, that’s his gift. His qualifications are quite different from the men who do the math. He knows where the Lord has placed him and what tools he has been given, and he uses them. He also realises that God has put him in charge to make a difference in other people’s lives. 

His staff experience this first hand. When they struggle, they know where they can go for help. Even people outside his organization experience his goodness as he invests in their lives. 

Silas used his writing talent to make a difference in many people’s lives. My mechanic friend with his grade 11 qualification uses his gifts to make a difference in many people’s lives. You can count on him. 

And you know what? God also gave you a bunch of gifts to make a difference. Can people count on you? 

Scripture
1 Peter 5:12-14 

Reflection
What do your gifts look like?
Do you use them?
Can others depend on you? 

Prayer
Father, thank you for my gifts. Holy Spirit, help me to use them every day so that others can depend on me. I ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.