Thinking Out Loud...

The gifting's within others continue to amaze me. As Paul reminded the Corinthian church that they were part of a body and each one has gifts differing. I must admit the older I get the more aware of this one thing I am becoming - We, in and of ourselves, can not expect to thrive relying solely on what we know or what we are gifted to do. We Need Others - it is the way God made us.

So then why is it, when I encounter someone with a gift that inspires me do I catch myself wishing that their gift were mine? Instead, the mature response should be that of celebrating the gifting's within others and giving them credit for what they have that I  do not possess myself. I find the need to remind myself once again that the gifting's in others are intended to strengthen and encourage me which really is the way it is suppose to be according to Paul's admonition in I Corinthians 12.

Baring my soul today, I must admit that in the past I have actually found myself hiding the gifts that I have found in others from people I know, so that my gifting's would be exalted in the minds of others. When I hide your strengths to make me look special, important, smarter or valuable something is wrong....talk about insecure.

So I encourage you - look around you today. Take time to consider the gifting's within those you live with, do church with and work with...it just might surprise you what they have that is being taken for granted. Together with Christ, the Holy Spirit and His Word people were given to you for your benefit. You can not thrive and succeed without them, for they are your God intended supply of strength in the areas you are weak in - they are a supply of wisdom in areas you lack in - they will see things from their perspective that you will not see without them - they have people skills you do not possess - they can throw a party you could never throw - they know about technology that you are completely ignorant of  - they have ideas you will never dream - they have experience in areas that you have never experienced - they see solutions you do not see....

Rhema Alumni Family - Valuing the gifts within others is a great gift to give yourself.

So while I was reading the most recent Michael Hyatt blog post I found myself thinking - wow, I wish I could write as prolific as he and come up with topics like he does....but then I was reminded, we are not all gifted alike....so instead of trying to be like him I will just pass on a recent post that blessed me - I hope you enjoy gleaning from his gifting's as I have this morning.

Have a great weekend from all of us here in the Rhema Alumni Office -  we love you and pray for you...