2 Timothy 1:6 – Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. (NKJV)

I sat in the ladder-back chair, wondering what I should do and feeling a bit useless.

The day prior to our move had arrived, but my wife and I were already at our new residence unpacking boxes — at least, she was. With no Internet or satellite, what could I do? If I unpacked, I'd have to wait for her to tell me where to put things. So, I sat.

"Is there something I can help you do?" I asked.

"No, just sit there," she replied. So, I did.

A few minutes later, she yelled from the next room, "See if you can find me a magic marker."

Finally, something I could do. I walked in each room, perusing the boxes. No magic marker. How she expected me to find such a small item among the mounds of boxes and bags sitting in every nook and cranny, I didn't know, but I wasn't going to waste this opportunity.

"I don't see one," I finally surrendered after searching in vain.

"Well, it won't jump up and grab you," came her curt reply. "Look in the boxes." I searched again. No luck. I failed at my one chance to do something.

Tomorrow would be different. I'd have something to do: move in the large pieces of furniture and hang pictures.

Paul was Timothy's spiritual father and had commissioned him into the ministry. Now, he reminds him to stir up that gift of pastoring a church.

Sitting around in a ladder-back chair twiddling my thumbs isn't the way to discover God's gift to me. God has things for all of His children to do, and He gifts and talents us accordingly. There have been times when I've wondered what my gift was — or if I had one — but each time, God showed up and pointed out what it was.

Through prayer and effort, I can discover God's gift. When I wondered if He had gifted me to teach, all I had to do was try. Had teaching not been my gift, I would have quickly discovered it — or someone would have kindly let me know. Some gifts all believers have — such as serving — but God gifts all believers. Gifts are His presents so that we can accomplish His kingdom work in this world.

Don't sit around wondering what your gift is. Ask God to show you — and then stir it up.

Prayer: Father, thank You for giving us gifts so that we can do Your work in the world. Amen.

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About the author:

Martin Wiles <mandmwiles@gmail.com>
Greenwood, South Carolina, USA
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