“Gifts from God that are not acknowledged as such are deadly to the soul, because they thicken the illusion of self-sufficiency that leads to overconfidence and sets us up for failure.”
~Tim Keller (Prayer: Experiencing Awe And Intimacy With God)
When I first read this quote, it seemed to sum up the entire story of my life in one sentence. My talents had given me the illusion of self-sufficiency and had led me down the path of failure—over and over again. I had nearly destroyed everything good in my life before God humbled me enough to understand that every gift I possess is a gift from Him.
God created my life for HIS glory, but I’d been living for MY OWN glory.
I was like a thoroughbred bred to race on a fast track but instead had chosen to swim upstream in the roaring Colorado River. My life was a disaster and—I could sense the suffocation of my heart. My life seemed senseless and my hope was dark. I had to change my course quickly before the raging river swept me away completely! And you know what? It’s so very easy to use the gifts God has given us in such a way that before you know it—we’re right back drowning in the chaos! When we use the gifts God has given us we must be very, very careful that we are using them HIS way and for HIS glory!
We were created for God’s glory and living for His glory is a daily (and often hourly) decision.
Our life is a gift. Our breath is a gift. Our eyesight is a gift. Our home is a gift. Our job is a gift. Our family is a gift. Our ability to think is a gift. Our good health is a gift and our ailments can be a gift as well. Our time is a gift. Our salvation is a gift. Our relationship with God is a gift. This devotional is a gift. The IPad I’m typing on right now is a gift. It’s 1:00 a.m. and God awakened me to pray for some people—the ability to engage Almighty God on behalf of others—is a gift. Then there are the gifts like the experiences of God’s love, joy, and peace. His wisdom and strength are also gifts. Our hard times are a gift. The list of our gifts…is endless…and we haven’t even begun to list the gifts like special talents like music, intelligence, or charisma.
But we need to beware because each one of these gifts can increase our illusion of self-sufficiency. Conversely, each one can make us more fully dependent upon God.
However, dependence upon God is not just a mental assent or a discipline of the will; rather, it’s an attitude that permeates our heart when we know WHO God is and HOW MUCH we need Him. We live in the mind of Christ. We live in genuine gratitude to Him. For example, if a client thanks me for doing a good job, I can simply say: “You’re welcome.” While there’s nothing innately wrong with this response, I can do so much better! I can acknowledge the role of God, by saying “I’m grateful God has given me the opportunity to serve you and to use my profession to glorify Him.” This may seem like a stilted response; however, as we grow in our relationship with God and we realize just how completely dependent upon Him we are for everything—it becomes second nature to pass the compliment to the one Who really deserves it!
Glorifying God in all we accomplish—lights our countenance. We have great testimonies to share of His brilliant wisdom! “Did I tell you about the time when God took this bad situation and revealed to me how to turn it into a glorious victory???” God was something else!” The more we grow in our attitude of dependence, the more great stories we have about His wondrous works. After all, why would we want to take credit for anything anyway? What does that get us? Nothing we can take with us into eternity. Furthermore, what do WE have to give away that really matters—unless it is Christ and His glorious gift of salvation? In this context, it totally makes sense to give all glory to God, doesn’t it?
When God’s presence is our greatest gift, and our life is full of the experience of His power, wisdom, and love—it’s natural to give credit to HIM for ALL our gifts!
The Bible says:
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”
James 1:17
If you are intelligent—you have a choice—garner praise for yourself—or—glorify God with it. If you are athletic—it can be your pedestal—or it can be His. If you are beautiful—it can provoke lust or envy—or it can shine with the light of God’s presence. And this list goes on and on…
My friend, the lost and dying world needs to see Jesus–not us.
“As EACH one has received a GIFT, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
1 Peter 4:10-11
We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.
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2 Responses
You have such Great devotional’s Kimberly, thanks for sharing them. Keep them coming.
Praise be to God!!