How Will You put Jesus On Display?

Do you see other people’s talents and ask why didn’t I get that one? Or what makes hers better than mine? Or if I had that I’d be (fill in the blank).

I do this all the time! And I can’t help but ask myself, why do I do that? God has given me multiple talents and I enjoy them all, but there are times when I get so complacent in them that I don’t recognize God’s hand in them. They become stale and un-nurtured. They are like the Talent buried in the ground waiting for the Master to return. When, in fact, He has never really left and is waiting for you to do great works for His glory.

Performance Anxiety

I struggle with “performing” for others. Although God has given me wonderful gifts of dramatic presentation, facial expression, American sign language, writing and memorization, I fear I will boast in my own abilities and so I withdraw and refrain from sharing these gifts. I don’t want my flesh to overtake the true meaning behind the message which, for me, is always to give GLORY to GOD!

I have realized when I become complacent, it’s because I have become unplugged. Imagine a beautiful new dishwasher in your kitchen. Shinny and impressive. It can wash, dry, and leaves no spots. It is voice activated and alerts you when perhaps the wrong cycle was selected. It cuts down washing dishes time to more than half and saves on water usage. What a great invention, right!? Well, it’s nothing more than a heap of plastic and metal if it’s not plugged in to a powerful, dynamic outside electrical source.

Unplugged

When I become complacent, I have become unplugged from the Holy Spirit. I have tried to manage this talent on my own which always ends in catastrophe. These gifts that were given to me are to be used for the GLORY of GOD. They are not to be hidden. They are not to be exploited. They are not to be the center of my boasting. Because without the direction of the Holy Spirit they would be nothing and the fruit of God would not be produced.

A good friend of mine once challenged me, “What can you do to put Jesus on display?” When presented this way, I have no excuse not to use my gifts and talents to “put Jesus on display.”

*Previously posted on FaithFraze @ faitherichardson.com https://faitherichardson.com/?p=142