God's Gift

When I got out of the ocean our first day of vacation I saw someone sitting in my chair talking to Mike. Turned out Emilio and his band, all from Jamaica, were hired by this resort to play six nights a week. Emilio is a good looking young man with great manners. He and Mike were passing the guitar back and forth. Mike told Emilio that he plays at church and Emilio quickly told him that is how their band learned to play. Emilio asked Mike if he knew this song and started playing a different rendition of "It Is Well With My Soul". Mike finished it for him. Emilio asked Mike to come play with them that night. At first Mike laughed but Emilio even wanted Mike to take his guitar and practice that day. The band was playing where we had dinner reservations that night. When we got there they had Mike a stool and a microphone on stage. All of those young guys love Mike and Mike loves them. As I write this Mike is already with them getting ready for tonight's show!

James 1: 17, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." I think it is wonderful to see people use their gifts. These boys parents took them to church every Sunday. It was a part of their life that they have not forgotten. They even play some of those Christian songs in their shows! And using their gifts afforded them the opportunity to go to another country - from Jamaica to Turks & Caicos - and live for a year!

Music is important because it can bring us into God's presence. Music can affect us emotionally. It can calm us down. It can soften our hearts. It can distract us from other things going on. It can help us focus on what we need to focus on. It helps us remember words to scripture. These are just some things the gift of music can do. Using your talent helps you and other's. Other gifts are just as important. God can use them to enrich His Kingdom!

The Bible tells us that we are all born with talents and gifts that set us apart from others. Ephesians 2: 10, "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." A talent is something we are born with that gives us unique skills. Talent is not a learned behavior but it can be strengthened. When you realize what your talent is and that it comes from God you want to use it to glorify Him. This will give you a more full life!

I know God is glorified when a secular band starts playing praise songs and glorifying God. And they are doing it with people from different countries and cultures. Mike gets to play worship music with young men from another country and they are all playing in yet another country! I know God is smiling! Matthew 18: 20, "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

1 Peter 4: 10-11, "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."

Are you using your gift? Have you asked God to help you discover your gift? You do have one!