Use What You've Got!

We're reading from the book of Acts right now to get a sense of the movement of the Holy Spirit as the church began. We see in it some marvelous characters including Saul/Paul and his cronies who create great waves across the landscape of the Roman Empire. Life was difficult for them as they found enemies of the "Way" every place they went. Yet they also found such joy in doing what God had called them to do. They were faithful even to their own demise.

Paul's story never ceases to amaze me no matter how many times I read it. Yesterday while driving to Indianapolis I listened to my Bible on tape (yes, tape. Peggy's car doesn't have a cd player! Fortunately we kept our cassettes.). It was interesting hearing the book of Acts and how the life of Paul unfolded into ministry and events and circumstances that seemed uncontrollable. God always intervened but not always in active ways or to save the day. Often God intervened by simply encouraging Paul. "Everything's going to be all right." "I've got more planned for you so don't worry."

Paul's life and ministry is an encouragement for us still today and there are several things we can learn from it. One of the things we need to remember is to use what we have.

Paul was never without options, and neither are we. He used his citizenship, his bilingual skills, his Jewish heritage, his faith, his charisma to his advantage. When the Jews were ready to kill him he claimed his Roman citizenship. He spoke greek then turned around to speak Hebrew to the crowd standing next to him. He used the very tools (gifts) God had given to him to his advantage, but not simply for his posterity or to save his life, he did it for the purpose of the kingdom. He used his every advantage to share Jesus.

I see and talk to people every day who claim they have nothing to offer to God or to the church. That's unfortunate, not that they have nothing to give, but that they don't believe in themselves or in the gifts that they have already been given. It's also sad because this is a lack of faith.

God has gifted each of us with unique things in our lives. I have four children and they have been a great source for me to get to know people I otherwise never would have met. I am an accountant by education and a business man by experience which has given me skills I would not have had. I have had opportunities to meet people from around the world: Christian missionaries, Jews, Muslims, Israelis, Palestinians, influential Christian leaders, pastors, Bishops, politicians, etc. I've been given privilege to travel to some amazing places in the world, learn important things, develop certain skills, experience certain life-events...

...all because God wants me to use them for His Kingdom.

I have a bunch of golf clubs in my golf bag. In fact I don't remember the last time I used my 4 iron or the 4 wood. But I carry them anyway because you never know when they will come in handy, when the right circumstances will arise to use just that club. I used to carry a ball retriever for the same reason. It always seemed to come in handy. The same is true for our life skills, circumstances. God has allowed us to have certain experiences, skills, details so that they could be used at just the right time to advance the kingdom, to help someone know Christ, to encourage someone else.

We have much. We are supposed to use it all for Christ.

Don't toss aside or deny what God has given you.

Use it instead.

Peace ><>
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