LET GEORGE DO IT!
(Talent Day)

Imagine that you are buying a very special gift for someone you love. You
put a lot of thought into this gift because you want it to be "perfect."
You spend hours shopping. You pay more than you planned, but it's worth it.
You put your heart and soul into this gift. You are looking forward to
seeing the joy and appreciation on your loved one's face when you unveil
"The Gift."

But then, imagine that when you present this special gift to your loved one,
they shrug and say, "What's this?" They lay it aside and never use it.

That would really hurt, wouldn't it?

Well, that's how God must feel when we ignore or neglect or take for granted
the wonderful gifts He has given us. Of all the tragedies in life, the
greatest is for a person to live and die and never realize the possibilities
hidden within. The Scripture tells us that we have something the world
needs and we are responsible for using it. Peter said, "Each one should use
whatever gift he has received to serve others faithfully administering God's
grace in its various forms" (I Peter 4:10).

There are many forms of service. We are all different. The rain that falls
on the beans is the same rain that falls on the cabbage. Yet, each becomes
a totally different vegetable. The sun that shines on the roses is the same
sun that shines on the tulips. Yet, each grows into a totally different
flower. That's because within each plant there is a God given seed which
forms it into a unique identity.

In a similar way, God's Spirit pours on each of us and God's grace shines on
each of us. Yet, we, like the plants, must appropriate these gifts
individually in order to realize our own unique identity. God has placed
within each of us the special characteristics that call us toward our
particular mission in life.

The two greatest questions are: "Who am I?" And "What am I here for?" Our
purpose, our roles, our profession and our avocations are crucial to our
success and happiness.

Sometimes we may feel like a failure if we don't measure up to what others
do. We may even neglect to follow our own plan, assuming that to be
faithful we have to be like someone else. But God has made each of us for a
special purpose. We must find our own individual way to live and serve.

Let's use the Vowels: A, E, I, O and U as an acrostic to help us do that.

A is for Abilities.

First, we must discover our particular temperament, our talents, our
strengths and our skills. In short, find out what you are good at! Paul
said, "We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's
gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is
serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is
encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of
others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern
diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully" (Rom. 12:6-8).

Later, he said, "Each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift,
another has that" (I Cor. 7:7).

And finally, he warned, "Do not neglect your gift . . ." (I Tim. 4:14a).

We must discover our abilities!

E is for Experiences.

We must analyze our background, our educational preparation, our past
accomplishments and our familiar activities. In short, think about what you
have already done. Moses said, "Be careful, and watch yourselves closely so
that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from
your heart as long as you live . . ." (Deut. 4:9).

David drew confidence for future challenges by recalling his past
achievements. He said to Saul, "Your servant has been keeping his father's
sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock,
I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it
turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your
servant has killed both the lion and the bear; (Goliath) will be like one of
them, because he has defied the armies of the living God" (I Sam. 17:34-36).

Paul assessed his track record, saying, "I have fought the good fight, I
have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (II Tim. 4:7).

We must analyze our experiences!

I IS FOR INTEREST.

We must examine our concerns, our desires, our passions and our enthusiasms.
In short, acknowledge what you like to do. Paul said, "Follow the way of
love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts" (I Cor. 14:1);

He also said, "Eagerly desire the greater gifts" (I Cor. 12:31);

Then, he said, "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things"
(Colossians 3:2).

We must examine our interests!

O IS FOR OPPORTUNITIES.

We must consider the circumstances, our resources, the time and place, and
the specific conditions. In short, be realistic about possibilities.
Solomon said, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every
activity under heaven" (Ecc. 3:1).

Paul said, "As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people . . ."
(Gal. 6:10).

Jesus said, "The right time for me has not yet come; for you any time is
right" (John 7:6).

We must consider our opportunities!

U IS FOR URGENCY.

We must always recognize and respond to emergencies, needs, difficulties and
problems. In short, be practical about priorities. Solomon said, "Whatever
your hand finds to do, do it with all your might . . ." (Ecc. 9:10).

Paul advised us to adapt to various situations, saying, "Rejoice with those
who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn" (Rom. 12:15).

He said, "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means
I might (accomplish my mission) " (I Cor. 9:22).

We must do whatever is necessary to respond to urgent crises!

One Christian psychologist works as a consultant for several large
corporations. He says his approach is to concentrate on each person's
strengths and ignore their weaknesses. He studies people carefully to make
sure that they are temperamentally suited for the task they are assigned.
Then he encourages them to discover and use their own particular abilities
in the fulfillment of that task .

The solutions to all our problems are here within the universe. But God's
greatest treasures are not beneath the sea, within the earth or
in the distant heavens. God's greatest treasures are within you and me.

Our human intelligence, understanding and creativity are gifts of incredible
value. What is your gift? Maybe it's music or speaking or art; but more
than likely it's an ordinary gift, like cooking or mechanics or gardening or
even the most overlooked ones of all, such as kindness or friendship or
hospitality.

When you see things that need to be done in your family; in your church and
in your community, don't say like Moses, "0 Lord, please send someone else
to do it" (Exo. 4:13).

Instead, discover your Abilities, Experiences, Interests, Opportunities and
Urgencies, and say with Isaiah, "Here am I. Send me!" (Isa. 6:8).

It's actually a sin to do nothing. James said it so well: "Anyone, then,
who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it sins" (James 4:17).

The poet Marguerite Wilkinson put it this way:

I never cut my neighbor's throat;
My neighbor's gold I never stole;
I never spoiled his house and land,
But God, Have mercy on my soul!

For I am haunted night and day
By all the deeds I have not done;
0 unattempted loveliness!
0 costly valor never won!

Another writer said, "Mr. Franks was a plain person. Levi's and a plaid
shirt were his usual attire. In church business meetings he seldom had much
to say. He was a quiet little man with no obvious talents; but Mr. Frank's
unassuming ways disappeared when one of his many skills was needed.

When it came to the cranky air-conditioning system that kept the sanctuary
comfortable, he had no equal. He was an artist with pipe wrenches and
screwdrivers. He knew exactly which valves needed replacing. When machinery
broke down, Mr. Franks always knew what to do and how to do it.

If there had ever been a popularity contest between a local celebrity and
Mr. Franks, there is no doubt who would win."

You see, it's those ordinary people who use their God given gifts in
productive ways that sustain the Kingdom.

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(Word Count 1443)