Bushel Basket of Gifts

Do we ever take the time to sit and think about the gifts that make us unique and stand out?  I think this is a great challenge for all of us: to name some of the things we are good at and on top of that, to see how we were  born to use them for a purpose.  I believe God gives us unique gifts that we must use to glorify Him and to share with our neighbor- but do we use them to our full potential? We must use them with humble confidence for Jesus clearly says, "Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand?" (Mark 4:21).  We were made to be lamps and to let ourselves shine before God- our gifts allow us to do this- then others will see what brings us life.  I have been challenged by a friend to see 5 gifts that God has given me, and then I am supposed to share them with my teammates.  This is not a easy thing sometimes, but I know this exercise allows me to see a sense of purpose and ultimately helps me to be more fully alive.

The greater challenge in all of this sometimes is comparing our gifts to those around us.  I understand the feeling when someone just excels in something that we want to be good at so bad, but do not fret, for St. Paul tells us, "But instead, God has placed the parts, each one of them, in the body, just as it has pleased him. So if they were all one part, how would it be a body? But instead, there are many parts, indeed one body." (1 Corinthians 12:18-20).  He also goes on to say that everyone has gifts, and that there is no one greater than the other.  Like I said before, we must be confident in this, knowing we have our own unique gifts, but we must also be humble in acknowledging that it is part of a plan, a body, and we were made to use them for the good of mankind. Let us all take the time to see what gifts God has given us, or what ones He is calling us to use.