Fresh Mannaby Pastor Tim BurtPeople often struggle to believe they have anything meaningful to offer others in life! On one hand, people exercise their ego or pride, making great boasts about who they are and what they can do. But then they also feel conflicted with opposite feelings of inadequacies in their ability and knowledge of how to make a real difference in life. Even if people have great skills and abilities, they struggle to believe that God created them to make a difference at some level in this world and be used by Him. For many, even most, it's difficult for them to believe.David, the King of Israel and one who walked in God's great favor felt that way. One day, as he was meditating on the awesomeness of God’s creation, he said, “When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you have set in place—what are mortals that you should think of us, mere mortals that you should care for us?"(Psalm 8:3-4 NLT) Even David struggled with grasping God caring for him, much less using him.You and I are called many things because we've accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We are called "washed", we are called "saints," we are called "ambassadors," we are called "ministers of reconciliation," we are called "one with a gift." You may not feel like you measure up to any of those titles, but nonetheless, you are what God says you are when you become a believer. It's up to you and me to meditate on what God calls us and then recognize that these giftings and talents are God's gift to us for the purpose of serving Him and His plan on this earth. As we yield to them by faith and let them be shaped within us, they will eventually spill forth from us.In the story of Joseph, at the time he was a servant working for Potiphar, his master, we read this verse: Genesis 39:2-3 (NLT) "The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did." God would love for every one of us to have the experience. Joseph had this kind of faith in God, who had been using him from the time he was a boy. How long is it going to take you to learn diligence and faithfulness to those you serve so that God can work through you?A young man had been attending our church for a few months. He told me he wanted to be involved in serving somewhere in the church. I asked him if he had any thoughts about where that might be? He said, The truth is, everything intimidates me. I'm an introvert. The second I heard that, I asked him if he would be involved on a Greeting Team—greeting people as they walked into our church. He was surprised I said that after just telling me he was an introvert. I told him that it was the perfect place for him to serve. God would do real work of transformation in him by stepping out in faith and going for it. He was willing! A few months later I was watching him greet people at the door. He loved it! He was shaking hands and greeting people with a big smile! He loved making people feel welcome. I asked him later, So, how are you like being on a greeting team? He told me, I feel like it's turning me into another person. I know I still feel like an introvert at times, but I also feel like this is transforming me into...dare I say—an extrovert! I feel like I'm becoming a new person! I'm not afraid of people any more! People loved to be greeted by him. This transformation spilled over into his job. He was a construction laborer, but was offered a promotion to management because of friendliness and his people skills. He credited this all to yielding to serve God by serving at church.You and I have been endowed with gifts and talents. The trigger to discovering them is to draw them out by purposing to consistently use them to serve God and people. That may be through church, through an outreach, or in some other way. I assure you that your Pastor needs your help somewhere. Ask the Lord to use you and show you where to be used. And then be willing to stretch yourself.I remember when I first was asked to teach 4th graders the Bible. I was literally terrified. I wanted to quit before I even began. I'm so glad I didn't! Over time I came to love it! I also discovered that I had a gift to teach. I would have NEVER known! I learned that God's grace is always there to help you execute the will of God in your life!God resists pride so it's critical to realize that egotistical thoughts and behaviors are not good. They don't represent God and prideful people often shy away from their areas of weakness because they don't want to stumble or fail or appear stupid. They play life safe instead of yielding to God! When your heart is to serve God wherever you are needed, then God will sometimes lead you into things you feel inadequate at. But, He'll draw you out and reveal hidden gifts and talents you would not have discovered in any other way. Don't let feelings of inadequacy deter you. You can say this to God, I don't know if I have the skill set for this but I am willing to give it a go! God is looking for the willing!God wants to use you to bless and influence others for Him! Yielding to Him will result in your blessing as He transforms you into a vessel for His use. God will use you in His ever-evolving plan that leads to a better life and one that makes you feel significant to His plan and purpose! And that's the truth!1 Peter 4:10 “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.”In His love,Pastor Tim Burt
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