Imagine this. You’ve just received the most beautiful gift. It’s wrapped to perfection, the bow is placed and the ribbon was coiled by angelic beings. You are floored that someone thought highly enough of you to even give you a gift, let alone one so beautiful. For this reason you decide to simply place it on the table and admire it. No need to open the package, because you’re just grateful to be in possession of such beauty. It gathers dust, but you dare not touch it for fear of ruining perfection.

*Pause* 

Have you done this before? Maybe it’s not a physical present, but maybe you know there is more for you to do on this earth, but you settle for the status quo. You know you have a gift to something [sing, write, dance, speak, heal, teach, …] but you keep it tucked away, for fear of messing up or not measuring up. 

*Play* 

Now, anyone in their right mind would admire this flawless present, Snapchat a quick photo of the wrapping and open it. Why? Because you know the value doesn’t come from the packaging. Yes, the thought of a gift is nice, but ultimately, the value comes from two things: the contents and the use of the gift. It doesn’t make sense for someone to receive a gift and refuse to open it. Right? 

The Contents:

“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” 1 Peter 4:10

Take the time to discover the gifts that God has placed inside of you. They are not for you, but to bring honor and glory to the giver of all good gifts. However, a byproduct of you being aware of your gifts is that others are benefit as you walk boldly in those gifts. 

The Activation: 

“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them…” Romans 12:6

Once you know your gifts, it’s time to act on them. Just as a car is useless without gas, your gifts are useless without a power source. Your power source Word of God. Believers are not called to be sideline observers, but active vessels to execute God’s plans. 

Don’t sit idly by and allow your gifts to remain untapped.

Someone somewhere needs you to do what it is that God has called you to do.

Unwrap the gifts within. It’s time. 

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