Read: 1 Peter 4:1-11
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. (v. 10)
I only knew him as a manager of the Burger King. Often as my parents and I ate there together, he came out of the kitchen to chat with us. Knowing I was a Christian and wrote devotionals, he asked if I would like one of his pencil drawings of Christ. I said yes.
It took him a few months to draw it for me because every portrait takes him one hundred hours to create. When he finished it, he presented me with a beautiful framed drawing of my Savior wearing a crown of thorns and gazing heavenward. I am grateful that he shared his gift of art with me.
When we hear the word gifts in the Bible, we likely think of spiritual gifts from 1 Corinthians 12. While God definitely uses the gifts from the Spirit, he desires to use our other abilities too. Peter says we should use whatever gift we have received to serve others. Whatever our talents are, God wants us to use them for his glory.
I had no idea the Burger King manager was such a talented artist until receiving his gift. I am blessed every time I look at his picture of Jesus. Do others know what you can do well? Or are your skills hidden from them? It doesn’t matter what abilities we have. Using them will bless others and honor God, who gave us our gifts.
As you pray, ask God to use your gifts to bless people and glorify him.
About the Author
Steven Laman is a writer and public speaker who has lived with cerebral palsy since his birth in 1970. Steven is a prolific devotional writer for Words of Hope, and the author of three books: My Journey God’s Grace, Strength in Weakness and My Grace Is Sufficient. He also volunteers as a teacher’s aide. He lives with his parents in Iowa.
