I have been gifted (Testimony time)

Life is a gift. This almost sounds like a cliché now. But it is what it is. Not matter how we want to flip the sentence around, the truth still stares us in the face- life is a gift. It might take a while for some to figure this out but the moment you do, your attitude towards life will never be the same again.

The moment you realize this, you’ll stop competing with anyone. You’ll stop comparing yourself to others and start to realize that your core responsibility is to nurture your talent to increase and bless others around you. You’ll start to live life right, at a different pace.

You ‘ll also start to see the meaning in Ecc 9:11:

I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn't always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn't always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don't always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time. Ecclesiastes 9:11 - New Living Translation (©2007)

For those who know me well, I used to rant a lot about how I’m able to achieve the little I have by excessive hardwork. In the past, I have caught myself being overly critical of young ladies who sit on their hands expecting some sugar daddies to come rescue them. I have also been very critical of young men who sit all day hoping to become millionaires by just dreaming and doing nothing. But I know better now.

Everything I have- from my good grades in college to my seemingly stable paycheck- I have been given. I wish I could tell you that it was all earned from sleepless nights of reading with candle lights or many days of juggling two to three jobs, combined with full-time studies. But those were just part of the process that paved way for divine increase of my talents.

I know people who are smarter than me, who even work harder than I do. But each time they turn to ask me how they can step up to a new level, I stare back blankly at them. Sometimes I try to share basic theories they can put into practice etc. but the reality is that I am what I am by the grace of God. It is difficult to explain what I know or how I do what I do. It is all a gift.

Today, I wake up, I ask for strength to carry on and the grace never to abuse the gift or take the grace for granted. I pray for the courage to learn to give back.

We have all been gifted- some with one talent, some with two and some with five talents. What are you doing with your gift?

I was listening to Bishop T.D Jakes preach “Instinct to Increase” last week and I was totally blown away. Because it confirmed what I’ve been thinking about the previous week. Here are some notes from the message:

Text: Matthew 25:14-30

If you don’t understand that you have been gifted, you will spend the rest of your life walking away and walking past only what God has given you. Your gift may not be shimmering in the light like others, it may not be the ability to do what others are able to do but you have something. You have been gifted.

If you don’t see what you have as a gift, you won’t protect it. You won’t guard it, you wont take care of it, you won’t appreciate it. You’ll run around to other people who are gifted and you’ll be so ignominious with what they have that you will not appreciate what you have.

You don’t know how or why you can do what you can do? You just know you can do it? That is the gift of the talent! God is at work in your life.

If there was no gift in the first place, there’ll be nothing to enhance.

The goal is not to catch up with anyone but to be excellent on your level.

Anything above zero is increase.

Opportunity often come to you draped in the suit of opposition.

I am thankful for the gift of life. I’m thankful for the gift to be and do. I’m thankful for wisdom to know how to give back and impact others. I’m thankful for my talents. I pray you find yours too and nurture it well. Don't be like the man with one bag of gold who hid his gold (talent) in the ground.

Live well. Live love.

Praise God!

image via peoplepolarity