Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
Be
diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may
see your progress.
2
Timothy 1:6 –
For
this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you
through the laying on of my hands.
We
revisited in part to see how children were handled in the nursery, and I was
impressed with the efficiency and the loving care that our grandchildren received.
There is a computerized check-in system with name tags printed for the child
and adults, including grandparents, authorized to pick up.
It
is also possible to register children online the night before a visit. My
daughter was given a passcard to scan when they revisit.
There
were some goal posts around the projection screens, but still no cross.
During
the announcements some photos of a nursery area were projected on the screens
which made me think it might be fun to project some real-time shots of the
children in the nursery areas. Some churches project the children’s message for
all to see and this always seemed well-received.
As
we both have experienced a change, we have been investigating our spiritual
gifts. Today’s sermon about the thumbprints of God was Christ’s leading. A
principle was raised that we should hold ourselves only accountable to God.
Many times clergy have stressed using our gifts for God, but this was the first
who brought up how that would affect others. God has blessed you with gifts you
can use to bless others as He directs. You are part of God’s overall plan…don’t
disappoint Him.
Now
that we have family staying with us temporarily, we pay more attention to the
child care facilities and arrangements when we visit a church.
We
have attended this church once before, but J & S, our daughter and
son-in-law, wanted to visit and we wanted to lend our support, as well as to
see it from the perspective of someone with little ones.
From
that perspective, it was efficient, caring, colorful, and safe. Children are
checked in; parents/guardians receive nametags with numbers linking them to the
appropriate child/ren.
One
of the grandchildren was anxious about going into the room even though her
sister was in the same room. But she joined her sister and afterward said she
had lots of fun. And Mom and Dad appreciated the opportunity to worship
together for the first time in a good while.
We
were privileged to witness an adult baptism, for which the congregation was
encouraged to “cheer loudly for a changed life.” What a terrific approach, and
very different from the staid Presbyterian style with which I grew up. He was
baptized “in the name of the Father Who loves you, the Son Who died for you,
and the Holy Spirit Who lives in you.” I liked that.
The
current series is entitled “Game Plan” and this, Part 3 called “The Playbook,”
was presented by Jeff Henderson.
Today’s
visit was another reminder to me that God guides us to the church He wants us
to visit.
I
have always been interested in spiritual gifts, and for the last several weeks
have taken several written and online. This message was centered on our unique
gifts, God’s specific plan for each life, and discovering the gifts we have
been given and how God expects us to use them.
Paul
equates life with a race, so much the same language was used. He stated that a
common obstacle is running someone else’s race, i.e., living our life based on
someone else’s expectations or lack thereof. He reminded that Scripture tells
us to “run with endurance” and that God will not hold us accountable for someone
else’s race.
He
referred to gifts as “God’s thumbprints,” and said they “are clues to His plan
for you. We need to lean into them, not turn away from them.”
Besides
knowing our gifts, we need to “leverage opportunities to use our gifts.” In
other words, recognize them, acknowledge them, then do something with them,
remembering that they were given to us so we could use them for others’ sake.
It’s not about us. And at the finish line we will hear, “Well done, good and
faithful servant.”
The
other point that spoke loudly to me was if we pray for opportunities to use our
gifts, God will show up and provide them. Personally this is encouraging, as
that’s where I am.
I
came home and took the online spiritual gift assessment on the website (www.northpointministries.org/gameplan).
The results were much the same as the others I had
taken recently, so I think I have a pretty good handle on my gifts; however I
have no idea how God wants me to use them. So I will take his advice and pray,
trusting God to show up and give me an indication of how He wants me to use His
gifts.
Father, we pray this church continues to look for ways to praise and honor You. Awaken them to the talents with which You have blessed them that they might use these gifts to glorify You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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