God-given Gifts
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. (1 Peter 4:10 NIV)
I started learning to play the piano when I was about nine. I was never a good student and didn’t do much practice. However, my parents felt it was important that I kept learning, and they paid for my lessons for about six years. My teacher was the organist at my church and encouraged me to play the organ for worship services. Just one hymn most Sundays and, eventually, I remember playing for a whole Lenten service. I was about sixteen at the time. That was how I started playing the organ in church.
Back in the day, we had Saturday school at my church and the pastor’s wife was the superintendent. She asked me to play the piano for the songs and I ended up teaching as well. My parents, my piano teacher, and the pastor’s wife were encouragers. Through their encouragement, I was able to use the gifts God had given me to serve through music and teaching children about Jesus. I never saw myself as a teacher, but God obviously had other ideas and, by giving it a go with encouragement, I feel I have been able to bless many people throughout my life.
Because of my husband’s job, we moved from place to place every two years or so. We always joined the local Lutheran church, and I found that I was able to be of service to many congregations by using the gifts God had given me.
In 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 verse 11 (NIV) we read: Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. Encouragement can change people’s attitudes and instil confidence. We should never leave thoughts of encouragement unspoken, but generously lift each other up, whether it be friends and neighbours or members of our church.
God gives us gifts so that we can build up his church. We need to realise that all our gifts and abilities come from God. Our role is to be faithful and to look for ways to serve him and others with our God-given gifts. I never had much confidence in my musical ability but, 60 years on, I am still playing the keyboard in church and thank God for the gift he gave me and for the encouragers in my life.
Prayer: We thank you Heavenly Father for our gifts. May we recognise the gifts that you have given us and use them for your glory by serving and encouraging one another in love. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
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