EACH OF US IS AN ORIGINAL

I used my pressure washer on Saturday to clean my truck.  At the end it was blowing a spray out of the side, but it still seemed to work long enough for me to finish the job. 

Sunday afternoon, my son, Troy, came by to borrow the truck to get his giant pumpkin to the Canfield Fair.  He asked about borrowing the pressure washer, too.  I told him about the problem I had encountered.  In less than a minute, he had identified the problem.

This morning in our usual text-exchange, he told me he’d ordered the part and would soon have it fixed.  Then he promised to use it immediately and return it. 

Now, let me explain that this would have been a huge issue for me!  I’m NOT mechanical!  I’m not good at fixing things!  I can do some things, of course, but I often refer to myself as a ‘butcher’.  😂 

Troy’s and my gifts couldn’t be more extreme!  We knew when he was very young that he would make a living with his hands!  He was always at my side learning and wanting to participate in anything I was doing. 

My gifts are more relational.  I’m a pastor, a speaker, a writer and a counselor – the humanities.  Troy’s not much interested in these areas.  J

We’re both good men!  We each love the Lord and seek to serve Him to the best of our abilities!  Our VERY DIFFERENT ABILITIES! 

If I’m honest, I’d have to admit that I envy Troy (and others like him).  I wish I had that set of skills and ability!  Sometimes the gifts that I have don’t seem very valuable.  It discourages me when I can’t fix something and have to call Troy (or a friend) for help! 

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I just read and summarized Galatians 5 this morning – a rather lengthy process.  As I came to the end of the chapter, I came across these words [which inspired this post]:

"…the life of the Spirit…means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse…Each of us is an original.”   [Galatians 5:25-26  TM]

It was an ‘ouchee’ moment for me as I sat quietly before the Lord. 

To envy others is to deny the marvelous ingenuity of God in making me who I am!  I am an original!  So is Troy!  I celebrate his gifts and love him for who he is!  I also celebrate the gifts God has given me! 

Are you getting this?

Don’t look at others and envy them!  Don’t do it! 

Maximize what God has given you!  Live for His glory – not yours!  You too ARE AN ORIGINAL!  Take full advantage of that!  And praise the Lord! 

THERE'S HOPE FOR YOU AND ME!

I just finished reading I Samuel 16.  This is the chapter where Samuel is sent to Bethlehem to the house of Jesse to anoint one of his sons as the new king (to replace Saul). 

When Samuel arrives in Bethlehem, the town is worried;  apparently the appearance of the man of God struck fear into the hearts of the people.  But, he assures them that he has come in peace and tells them to prepare a feast. 

As the feast begins, Samuel spots Jesse's oldest son, Eliab, and thinks, "Surely the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD."  [v.6]

WRONG!

...the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him.  The LORD does not look at the things man looks at.  Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."  [v.7]

Then, Jesse's sons are brought in succession before Samuel:
Abinadab
Shimea
Nethanel
Raddai
Ozem

Then Samuel said to Jesse:  "The LORD has not chosen these...Are these all the sons you have?"  [vs.10-11]

Jesse responds:  There is still the youngest, but he is tending the sheep."  [v.11]

In some societies, shepherds are the weakest members of society - children, women, and elderly.  Often they're entrusted with the livelihood of the entire family.  And they have to do it with minimal provisions. 

Samuel said, "Send for him;  we will not sit down until he arrives."  [v.11]

Hmmmm - I wonder how long that took?

When David arrived the New English Bible reports him as having "bright eyes".  

Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him;  he is the one."  [v.12]

Have you ever felt like the lowest of the low?

False humility aside:  haven't you occasionally wondered how God could ever use someone like you?

HE CAN!  HE WILL!

Romans 12:3-8 (NIV)
"...think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. 

If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 
if it is serving, then serve; 
if it is teaching, then teach; 
if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; 
if it is giving, then give generously; 
if it is to lead, do it diligently;
if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully."

Kind and Gracious God,

We rededicate ourselves to You this morning!  Everything we are and everything we have comes from You!  Use us in whatever ways You can to fulfill Your divine purposes.  No task is too small or too big!  With You all things are possible.  

I will not think small thoughts today and I will not think grandiose thoughts.  I will simply be obedient.  I want to be Your David today!

For the Kingdom's sake.  Amen.