Like a Baseball Team

1 Peter 4:10-11
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. 

My grandson, Zeke, stood on the pitcher's mound. At eight years old his excitement for the game of baseball shined. As the inning progressed Zeke and the first baseman made a great play to get the runner out. All the young men on the team filled different positions throughout the game. As they ran and hit and caught the ball their skills increased. I witnessed them finding their potential and strengths.

My other grandson on the team, Eli, shows the gift of encouragement. He cheered Zeke on as he pitched. Another young man, A.J., shows compassion for his teammates. The boys are not only learning the game of baseball, they are realizing their gifts.

Watching Zeke and Eli on the field reminds me of God's plan for people. Everyone of us has God-given gifts. Some are speaking, serving, being hospitable, and so many more. Each one of us has a reason for being, a purpose. One of my gifts is encouragement, which led me to write my blog. Through that gift I reach out beyond myself, follow God's heart, and give a bit of joy and hope to anyone who reads the words.

God creates each of us with our own passions and he gives us the tools to pursue them. If we pray, read God's word, listen, and pay attention, God reveals to us how to use the gifts he's filled us with. Then like a baseball team, we work together for God's kingdom—each of us in our position, ready to commit to the team. Are you on God's team?

What's your gift? I'd love to know.

Gifts from the Master

2 Chronicles 2:13-14
“I am sending you a master craftsman named Huram-abi, who is extremely talented.  His mother is from the tribe of Dan in Israel, and his father is from Tyre. He is skillful at making things from gold, silver, bronze, and iron, and he also works with stone and wood. He can work with purple, blue, and scarlet cloth and fine linen. He is also an engraver and can follow any design given to him. He will work with your craftsmen and those appointed by my lord David, your father."

Throughout my life I've tried my hand at several different crafts. I've enjoyed most of them but none as much as embroidery. It broke my heart when arthritis started dominating my hands. Mostly the base of my thumbs. So I gave it up for awhile. In the interim I had a co-worker ask me about the how-tos. She wanted to learn a few stitches. I loaned her my books and gave her a few pointers. She did a great job, but as I looked at her work and that of others, I realized how much I missed running the floss through fabric to create beauty.

Long story short, I went to a hand doctor and got a cortisone shot that allows temporary relief so I can hand sew, again. When I showed my coworker the embroidery I'd been working on she gave me the best compliment. She called me a master of the craft. The truth is, the Master of life gave me the ability to stitch beauty out of thread and fabric. When we're born, God instills in us the talents we use throughout life. I'm thankful I've had the opportunity to develop my craft or master it, so to speak.

God has given each person gifts and abilities to use to serve others and Him. I appreciate the talents God has given me, in hand crafts and other areas of my life. I encourage you to take some time and discover your strengths. Explore your gifts and develop your passion. God created you as a unique soul with a purpose. Praise God for giving everyone different abilities and skills.

And God Created Trees

 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

As Tim and I hiked through the nature preserve, we noticed a variety of trees budding for spring. The Bradford pears were in full bloom. Red buds were pushing out their deep lavender-pink blossoms, and soon the dogwood would flower in clouds of pink and white. A few days later my daughter, Sara, her two little ones and two of my other grandchildren trekked along the path at Sycamore Park. Along the trail were several old sycamore trees that had hollowed out over time. We also saw birch, oak, and maple trees preparing for spring.

A variety of trees make up a forest. Some provide shade, others food. Some stand out with their flowery beauty, while others are content to spread their leaves and bring shelter. And in all of them God is at work. He created every one of them for a purpose. Is it so different for people? We all look different. We all have abilities and gifts to share. Some of us may shelter, while others stand out.

I know this sounds simple and maybe even trite. But think about it. There are so many different people in the world, and God created everyone with purpose. Every tree in the forest grows alongside trees who are different and trees who are the same. They rise up in community and do the job God intended. Is it so different for people who receive their gifts from the Holy Spirit when they become believers in Christ? I'm thankful God made me unique, as I strive to share my gifts through writing.

As you embrace your gift, take one word of warning. Don't compare yourself to others. Comparison is detrimental. Seek your gift and God will bless you. He'll lead you into circumstances where your abilities and purpose shine. No gift is more or less than another. Every gift has purpose. Praise God he made us all different, with gifts to share.

The Best Gift

Ephesians 2:8-10
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Black Friday, the craziest Christmas gift shopping day of the year. Some of my nieces love going. They enjoy the thrill of the hunt. I'm content to do a little online shopping, or maybe wait for cyber Monday. My husband would tell you, I'm a bit painful to shop with. I put items in the cart, take them out, put more in, take it out and usually end up with what I chose in the first place. And yes I do that online, too. I've never been particularly good at choosing gifts, but I try my best to find something the recipient might like.

I've received many wonderful gifts through the years, but there's one that's changed my life. Jesus gave his life to save me from the deprivation of this world. His death and resurrection gives me the freedom to live with peace and joy even amidst the despair and worries of life. Having Jesus in my heart gives me the hope of eternal life in heaven. I love Christmas, the gift giving reflects the best gift God gave. And that's a beautiful thing.

What do Sassafras Leaves and God's People have in Common?

Ephesians 4:14-16
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.  Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.  From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

When I wandered through the woods as a kid, I was fascinated with the variety of trees God created. My favorite, the sassafras tree, bore three different leaves. Not many trees can claim that. A mitten leaf, three “fingered” and kind of an oval leaf live together on the branches. Even though the leaves are different, they feed from the same source and draw life from the same nutrients.

As followers of Jesus, the church is filled with a variety of people. All different, but all feeding from the same life source— Jesus. God created each person as a unique individual with specific talents and gifts. I love when all those believers come together and show Jesus to the world. My daughter directs Vacation Bible School each year at the church she attends. Every year challenges rise. This year was no exception. Yet because all the people involved focused on God, both children and workers were blessed in abundance.  Maggie posted this on Facebook, “…I love seeing God's servants come out and work so hard for these kids…Service is what this week was all about, and the example these kids witnessed through my dear church family's willingness to give of themselves is the greatest lesson they received.”

God created us to work together for his kingdom. Praise God for those who obey and serve.

Share a time when you saw people work together for God.