Let us use them.

Grace and peace to you dear friends,
 
"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness." Romans 12:6-8 ESV

This passage has really been hard on me this last week. The phrase "let us use them" really felt convicting to my heart. Am I really making wise use of the gifts of grace from the Holy Spirit? Am I accomplishing enough eternally significant things in the lives of those around me?

I sat and read that phrase over and over because I knew the answer was, "not well enough". I just couldn't seem to pass over it and go on. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I have to act on this conviction.  But how? It became clear that the answer was right in front of me. In what ways can I improve my loving of others, especially the one's who are around me every day? Obviously the best place to start looking is right where God has put me. There are a lot of places and ways that I can do a better job representing Christ through my living right in the circumstances I am living in right now. I'm home all the time and we homeschool four of our children. So my wife and kids need to see more of Christ as a husband and father. I also have much improvement to be made in our striving to be a God-centered home fully dependent on His mercy and grace. I could go on and on with my personal applications here but I hope this has been enough to get you thinking and maybe even a little bit uncomfortable with yourself.

 May our great God and king bless your efforts to purge the kingdom of self and glorify the kingdom of God. May He fill your hearts with new affections for His worth as you grow into the image of His glorious Son. Amen.



For the Joy of Your Fiath,
Teagan