Thanksgiving Day Three

It's funny, how much we take for granted. When was the last time that you really considered how unique YOU are? There is not a single person in this world that has the same identity as you. This thought occurred to me as I watched one of my best friends swim at the State meet today. My friend is an incredible athlete, and definitely has the resumé to prove it, particularly after winning the title of regional 100 backstroke champion last weekend, and now winning 3rd overall in the same event at the State meet. I also know that her faith in God is strong, and that she gives all the glory to Him for her talents and athletic abilities. This is so amazing, because I know a lot of us lose sight of this, and take our gifts for granted, even reject them sometimes. But the truth is that God gives us gifts and He expects us to use them for His glory, meaning we shouldn't reject or deny that we've been given incredible talents!

I know that I am totally, completely unique, and I am terrible about denying the gifts that I have been given. It is definitely a habit that I am working hard to get rid of, because God deserves to get credit for what He has done for me! I am incredibly talented, and I think the reason I deny that is because I don't want to sound like I am boasting. This is understandable for sure, but I think my pastor, Pastor Mike, said it best a few weeks ago: "If your intention is to give the glory to God, it isn't bragging.....but you have to USE the gifts He gave you!" We need to stop worrying about sounded conceited when talking about our gifts, because in the end, they aren't our gifts at all, but God's!

For example, I do, and have always done, quite well academically. Even now in college (so far, but I'm not making a habit out of slacking!) I can do well on tests and papers with minimal effort. That being said, I am doing my very best to use my intelligence for God's work, studying public health in hopes to use that to serve a non-profit organization and people less fortunate than I am someday in the future.

I will also freely admit that I have been given an amazing classical singing voice. This definitely makes singing in church much easier, and more enjoyable! I am also really looking forward to my school choir's Christmas program in a few weeks, where I will be able to sing all about Jesus' birth! Singing has definitely allowed me to step out of my comfort zone as well. I absolutely think that God gave me this voice as a sort of "pathway" to help me overcome my incredible introversion. I have found that I really DO enjoy being in front of people and performing, which I probably never would have done without a good singing voice.

So obviously, we have gifts for a reason! Why not use them for their intended purpose: to glorify God! Don't be afraid to do that, and try your very best not to deny them or hide them! Our talents are to show others how much we love and adore our God, and sometimes even are to help us uncover new sides of our personality. Talents and abilities shape our identities, our identities that God wanted us to have all along. Why hide who your Maker created you, so lovingly and creatively, to be?