Romans 12:6a – We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. (NIV 2011)

What I have just written is called "doggerel", defined in the Oxford Dictionary as "halting, irregular verse", but it explains precisely how I was feeling at the time.

I often revert to doggerel as I'm driving along in my car praising the Lord. Even before I realize it, I find that I am putting rhyming verses together and singing them to the tune of a familiar hymn.

I have written several books, poems, and devotionals to praise and honour our Lord — some more effective than others, of course. But on some occasions, I find that I can express myself more clearly by reverting to doggerel, and I believe that the Lord accepts that as part of the gift of writing that He has given me. Quite often, He has used doggerel to trigger thoughts that will eventually lead into my next devotional.

Here is what the Lord says about using the gifts that He has given to us:

1 Peter 4:10 – Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. (NIV 2011)

Sometimes, I hear people say that they don't think that they have any gifts, whether out of genuine sincerity or false humility. However, the Scripture tells us that God has gifted every person, and He will show us our gifts if we ask Him with the intention of using them in the way that He directs.

1 Corinthians 7:7b – But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. (NIV 2011)

So, in closing, I ask these questions:

• Do you know what your gifts are?
• Are you using them to serve others and glorify God?
• If you really do not know, are you willing to discover them?

If so, then simply ask the Lord to show them to you, and then turn them over to Him for His use, through your service.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we have so much to learn about living our lives for You in such a manner that everything we think, say, or do is done to honour You and to develop a closer walk with You. You shower blessings upon us daily, and You grant us gifts to carry out Your work in our world. May we be willing to acknowledge and use our gifts, even if at times this may inconvenience us, or go against our own plans. We come humbly as Your children, and trust You to teach us every day to live more nearly as we pray. This we ask in Jesus' name. Amen.

Forward this devotional     Share on Facebook

About the author:

Sharon Y. Greer <sygreer11@gmail.com>
Sandycove Acres, Innisfil, Ontario, Canada
Send your feedback to the author