“I Stay Out of the Way”

A first-grade teacher asked her class, “What do you do to help at home?” One little girl said, “I dry the dishes.” A boy said, “I feed the dog.” Another said, “I sweep the floor.” Each child had an answer until the teacher got to a little boy in the back of the classroom. The teacher asked him what he did to help at home. His answer was, “I stay out of the way.”

We are all created with different gifts and abilities. Ephesians 2:10 says we are all created for a purpose. None of us are supposed to “stay out of the way.” Think about the world we live in. Birds sing, bees produce honey, and cows give us milk. God created each of us to make a difference. God created you the way you are so you can make a difference. We are all different, and that is the way God has made us. Each one of us has a purpose, and that purpose only happens when we use the gifts God has given us.

While we all have different gifts, we are all called to use those gifts. Some are teachers and teach children. Some are engineers, chemists or biologists. Some can make sure your home is warm and cool. No matter what our gifts are, we all can serve. Some become pastors, some lead a youth program while others can clean up after a church meal. Regardless of our giftings, there is a place in God’s kingdom for each of our gifts. Romans 7:4 says, “Now you belong to Him…in order that we might be useful in the service of God.”

No one can say, “My task is to stay out of the way.” Each of us has a gift, and we are called to use our gift in service to God and His people. God has a ministry for you today!

Prayer – Father, show me the gifts  I  have today so I can use them to help others. Amen.

Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.”

By the Rev. Tommy Herndon
Images: Filip Urban, Lindsey Elsey & Emmanuel Ikwuegbu, courtesy of Unsplash