Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

People often struggle with believing that they have anything meaningful to offer others in life!  On one hand people notice their ego or pride wanting to make 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 a person has great skills and abilities, to have a core belief that God created them to make a difference at some level in this world and be used of Him? For many, even most, it’s difficult for them to believe.

David, the King of Israel and one of the most favored men of God 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 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 none-the-less, you are what God says you are when you become a believer. It’s up to you and I to meditate on what God calls us and then recognize that these giftings and talents  are within us. As we yield to them by faith and let them be shaped within us, they will eventually spill forth from us.

There was a young man who 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 where? 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. That God would do a 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 wore a big smile. He was shaking hands or giving a hug! He was loving making people feel welcome. I asked him later, So how are you liking 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 his people skills. He credits 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 an apt and 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. When your heart is to serve God where ever 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.

God wants to use you to bless and influence others! Yielding to Him will result in your blessing as He transforms you. God will use you in His ever-evolving plan that leads to your significant life!

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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Published by Pastor Tim Burt
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