Chapter 16 – What should you do with your gifts…

“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to him, “go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action is dead.”

James 2: 14-17

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Hey God, It’s me Lori,

I know you gave me these talents for a reason.  Help me to find out the reason and share them with others.  I know I have a purpose please guide me so that I can fulfill it.

When you have discerned your gifts what should you do with them…

Your options are endless.  God will continue to guide you in prayer and opportunities to share your gifts with others.  The way you decide to do it is up to you.   If you have left your church, no matter what religion it was, you could go back.  Believe me when someone comes back to the church people welcome the return.  I believe in a God who is compassionate like the parable of the Prodigal Son he will kill the fatted calf and celebrate for the one who has returned to him.  If the church you left is not the right fit for you look around.  Churches even in one religion are all so different.  I belong to a Catholic church and there are many people who have walked into our church and said they felt welcomed and loved from the minute they arrived.  I have been in other catholic churches in the same area that were cold as ice.   Just remember the church is made up of people not bricks and stones. 

Find a church that you feel you can become what God wants you to be.  It could mean many different services at lots of different churches.  It is worth the search.  As I said before your relationship with God should be more than just the two of you especially if you have children.  Have you ever heard the saying “It takes a village to raise a child” well it takes a community of believers to support and lift up your faith.  God wants us to do it together.  So start looking.

Once you have settled on a church how do you get involved?  Just show interest.  I am involved in many different aspects of our church and it all started with a person who called and asked if I would come to a meeting.  You don’t have to wait for that call.  You can ask the priest/minister, tell he/she what you are interested in helping out with.  Most churches have a printed list of the different committees and organizations within the church.  Call the church office the people working there are typically very helpful.  If you want to get involved with your children’s school talk to the principal or your child’s teacher.  Believe me if you put it out there that you are interested in getting involved and do a little searching the right people will find you.  Then you can use your gifts within your community.

If you want to get more involved with the bigger picture look on the Internet for volunteer opportunities in your city or area.  There are always mission trips to other countries and every area has a need for volunteers.  From people who will pick up litter to people who volunteer to hand out water bottles in charity races.  Nursing Homes always need people to visit the elderly, they love it when you bring kids with you.  Zoos take volunteers.  Soup kitchens always need another pair of hands and children’s homes as well.  There are very few exceptions of places you cannot help.

 The opportunities are endless when you decide to get involved and to give back what God has given to you.  Look at all your options.  God will give you guidance if you ask for it.  You will feel very drawn to a particular cause or need.  Don’t just pick something that you don’t care about, you will not enjoy it or stick with it. Choose something that you can truly use your talents in and develop them even more.  You will do it to help others and in the process find that you have also helped yourself to become more than who you are today.  Give it all away and the return will be ten fold in heaven.

It is never easy to find time to do anything extra in this hectic life we live.  But we always find the time to eat, sleep and breathe, isn’t it time that we make listening to God’s call to us a priority.  I ask you are you ready to listen to his call and spread His word like only you can do it, with your talents and experiences and love of God. 

So I say to you:

 Don’t just make this life into what it is

 but

 make this life into what God has planned for you. 

LISTEN

PRAY

SEEK HIM OUT

LET HIM SEND YOU

“Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.

As the Father has sent me,

so I send you”

John 20: 21

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