One of the most amazing things about our God is the way that He continually shows His love to us. It’s written in the sky at morning time, it can be seen in the smiling faces of His children and it speaks to us out of His Word, the Bible. It was displayed on a cross over 2,000 years ago as Jesus who was the Christ suffered, bled and died so that we might be saved from our sins and it is still freely given to every man, woman and child who calls on the name of the Lord.
Our God is a generous giver because He loves us so very much. The gift of His son Jesus, the gift of salvation and the Holy Spirit and the innumerable other gifts that He has bestowed on us are all displays of His love and affection towards His creation. Whether you know and realize it or not, if you are reading this then you are very, very blessed.
As one of the blessed, we have a responsibility to respond to God’s love in the right way. The first and most important way we can respond is simply to acknowledge that we are loved by God and that we accept His free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. If you’ve not done that, and you have questions about it, please read this.
For those of us who have already decided to follow Jesus, we still have decisions to make about how we respond to God’s love. We still have a responsibility to share that love and to be good representatives of the God who is so very good to us. In fact, if we are saved, God has equipped each of us in specific ways that are unique yet all fit together for the building up and encouraging of His family and His church. (God’s church is the people who are saved by grace, not any building built by human hands! We worship in many places and many buildings but God’s church is His people and it is they are who important to Him, not the places they worship in.)
The unique ways that God equips us for the building of His church manifest in the form of talents and abilities. Some of us are artistic and can paint or create beautiful sculpture. Others have the ability to lead and administer effectively. Still others can teach or preach. The depth and breadth of the gifts that God gives us is truly amazing and no simple list could ever hope to name them all. The point is that no matter what our talents or abilities might be, the best choice we can make after salvation is to use what we have been given for God’s glory and to show how much we love Him.
Close your eyes, you little dreamers
Numbered as the grains of sand
Do you believe there is a treasure you can’t hold in your hand?
Stewards of My great Creation
I will give this gift to you
A language that can speak your heart when words could never do
The melodies will give you wings to fly above Creation
Whenever you can’t find the words to say
So My child, I give this gift to you and all the nations
So you can give it back to Me one day
Shown above is the first verse of a song entitled “The Gift of Music” by Theocracy. It’s a powerful song but my favorite part is the last line of the chorus. Personalized, it says “So my child, I give this gift to you and yours so you can give it back to Me one day.” Quite simply, one of the most beautiful and wonderful ways that we can show our love to God is by using what He has freely given us back to Him in humility and service.
Are we committed to doing that? Are we serious about showing our love for God through our talents and abilities? If not, then this Easter season would be an ideal starting place. And if we are already using what God has given us for the benefit of His church, then let’s not slow down or get distracted. Let’s renew our commitment on our knees, at the foot of the cross, in praise and thanksgiving to the One who’s love for us is deeper than the oceans and more vast than the sky.
As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (1 Peter 4:10) NKJV