Using Talents and Spiritual Gifts

I’ve been talking to some people a lot recently about the future. What they want to do. Whether the work is worth it. These people are my friends, and I consider them to be absolutely amazing people.

What always confuses me is how they can get discouraged so easily. They always see someone smarter, more beautiful, more talented, more successful, friendlier, has “better” spiritual gifts than them, anything. It is so easy to compare ourselves to others, and when we do that, we forget about what God has given us.

You and I can get disillusioned about our place on this earth so easily. But while talking with my friends I just kept remembering Luke 12:48:

“…Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.”

God gives us our talents, our spiritual gifts, our personalities. Depending on how much he has given us, he will expect us to use those gifts and talents to further his kingdom.

It’s amazing how often we can forget about what God has gifted us with. When I hear some of my friends talk about themselves it’s hard for me to imagine that they can’t see themselves for who they really are. I look at them and I see that they are smart, beautiful, loving, determined, musical, and have a real heart for God but they so easily forget what they’ve been gifted with. They are exceptional people.

God doesn’t just give you talents so that you will be “more special” than other people, though. That’s not what I mean at all. All the other superhero nuts out there, remember what Uncle Ben says? “With great power comes great responsibility.” Because you have been entrusted with much, God will expect much of you.

How can you use your spiritual gifts as a teen? It’s easy to see how adults use theirs in their jobs, families, etc. But as a teen you have so many unique opportunities to use the gifts God has given you! You have the time to volunteer at a kids’ group at church, help tutor kids after class, volunteer to be on nursery duty on Sunday mornings, shovel your elderly neighbour’s driveway, play an instrument or sing for worship–anything. Our spiritual gifts are how God has tuned us to be able to serve him. Some are encouragers, some are teachers, some are musical–the list is endless. It is your responsibility to find what those gifts are and use them for God’s glory. That’s why he gave them to you!

You have been given gifts. Those are not for your glory, those are not to build up your pride. Do not let them define you, and do not use them as a weapon to bring other people down.

Rejoice in them, but not in a prideful way. Rejoice in them because you know that God has gifted you for a purpose. Because you know that God has given you talents to carry out his will for your life.

But also be prepared to answer his call–he has much planned for you.

Becca