Why do people give you things? For example, why do people give you Christmas presents, or birthday parties, or graduation gifts, or big balloon letters that spell “CONGRATULATIONS”? Basically, they want you to be encouraged, noticed and happy. Your birthday party is about you. That’s the way it should be.
Why does God give you things? For example, answers to prayer, blessings you didn’t pray for, provisions supplying you with more than you need, natural abilities, personality traits, everyday sustenance like air to breathe or water to drink, spiritual blessings not able to be manufactured here in this world but coming from God’s divine storehouse.
It’s not just about you. It’s not so that you ultimately shine, but instead so that you reflect his brightness.
Shout out to this blog from Paul Tripp, masterfully and biblically resetting perspectives about gifts from God. Spend 5 minutes with this today. It’ll help you see God’s gifts in new ways.
https://www.paultripp.com/wednesdays-word/posts/stewarding-your-gifts
PRAYER: Thank you, Lord, for the gifts you give to me. May I never use them to make me outshine you, but rather appreciate them and apply them to serving you with all my heart. Amen.
MEDITATION: Think of one natural gift that God has given you, such as a skill, insight, expertise or talent. Re-read the blog, with an emphasis on that gift and what it means for you to use the gift God’s way.