Use the Gifts

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. – (1 Peter 4:10, NIV)

God has shown you His grace in many different ways. So be good servants and use whatever gift He has given you in a way that will best serve each other. – (1 Peter 4:10, ERV)

Use whatever gift you’ve received for the good of one another so that you can show yourselves to be good stewards of God’s grace in all its varieties. – (1 Peter 4:10, VOICE)

 

One of the reasons that I love to coach is because I was blessed with coaches who encouraged and inspired me to be the best version of myself, both on and off of the playing field/gym floor. A gift that I feel God has birthed and grown in me, is one of encouragement. This is an asset for a coach, and one of the things that I enjoy immensely about the job that I have partaken in for the majority of my life. There is great reward in encouraging and helping young athletes grow, and such joy in watching them discover the fruit of their labor. This morning, I have an interview for a high school assistant gymnastics coaching position at our local high school. My experience has been coaching recreational and middle school gymnastics since I was sixteen, yet the high school arena is entirely new, barring my own experience as a gymnast. As a middle school head coach, this would be an incredible opportunity to learn the sport at an entirely new level. For me, the hope is to grow that which is already within, so that I may become better equipped to lead well, and to extend what I have to offer to this group as we grow together. God is good, and He is faithful. I am embracing the opportunity to learn, and will serve in this season, whether I am hired for the paid spot or not.

 

We’re all given gifts, img_2019-11-21_04-33-541632839495721985461.jpg

In various forms;

Intended to serve,

Blessings God affords.

Whatever we have,

We are meant to use;

To extend God’s grace,

Purposeful pursuit.

May we each go forth,

And serve as we’re called;

Operate in strength,

Through God’s love installed.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You create each one of us with strengths, gifts and purpose. Thank You that You provide new opportunities for us to grow and utilize that which we have been given. Forgive us for the times that we neglect to navigate in the strength that we have been granted, or attempt to be someone or something other than who we are created to be. Teach us to lean into You so that we would be confident in that which we are called and created to do. Show us how to love those around us in exactly the way that it is needed most. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we walk out our purpose in the gifts that You have planted and purposed in each of us. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. – James 1:17

Where Status is Certain

Facebook has taken a person’s “status” to a whole new level. For some, their status is changed daily, based on how they are feeling. For others, once a status is selected, they are bound and determined for it to remain the same forever. Sadly, life does not always allow us the choice to uphold nor freely change our “status“. Sometimes the storms set in, and though we survive, we emerge changed. Even if our “status” change is for our own good, there is often grief and sorrow that stay with us, as we adjust to our new label.

In Christ, we never have to worry about our status changing. If we choose Him and obey Him, we are His. But if anyone obeys His word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did. – (1 John 2:5-6) Christ does not expect us to do this on our own, but rather He indwells us upon our invitation. When we invite Him to reign in our lives, He empowers us to live as He lived, and to love as He loved. The only “status” that lasts forever is who we are in Him. May we choose to trust in Christ, and allow Him to transform our hearts and minds to reflect God with us.

Status

Facebook status options…

Our status may stand,

when found in the Lord;

for all others ways,

are tossed to and fro.

We cannot control,

the storms that do come;

but we can rely,

on God’s only Son.

For when we’re in Christ,

He too is in us;

granting us the strength,

to rise and to trust.

The only thing certain,

is our walk with Him;

for He never leaves,

once invited in.

May we be transformed,

in our heart and mind;

to reflect the Lord,

through loving mankind.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that our status with You is certain when we trust in You. Thank You that You alone are our hope and our strength in the storms, and that You will see us through every struggle we encounter. Thank You that You never leave us nor forsake us, and that what You promise, You will do. Forgive us for our fearfulness and our disappointment in our own defeated expectations. Teach us to trust in You completely, so that what is hoped for, is that which You place in our hearts. Lead us to love others in such a way, that they too would seek secure status in You alone. Be glorified O God, as we stand certain in our status as Your children, loved completely by You. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

Is anyone happy?  Let him sing songs of praise. – James 5:13