When my husband retired at age 55, we moved to a mountain community in central California, USA. Soon, he began to lead Sunday services at the nearby home for disabled adults. Struggling to find ways to help them understand God's message, he discovered object lessons: using visual aids to introduce and enhance the Scripture. For instance, baby food can be used to develop a lesson on how we need to grow up spiritually and study the Bible.

As he expanded his repertoire, he discovered gospel illusions: using tricks or illusions to present the good news through visual parables. He developed a program that included a variety of "hand magic" — no elaborate props, just simple illusions that mystified the audience.

When we travelled, we looked for opportunities to share. We presented our program in campgrounds and churches as we travelled around the United States, including two churches while on a cruise in Alaska.

1 Peter 4:10 – God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. (NLT)

My husband was not by nature a public speaker, but he persisted in using this late-in-life gift that God gave him. In his late 70s, this gift blossomed into being a substitute preacher in the recreational vehicle park chapels that we served with in our summer home. Anyone who knew him in his 40s would never have believed that that could happen.

Each of us has at least one God-given gift that we can use to spread the gospel and to serve others. Some gifts are more obvious: preaching, teaching, leading music, or singing solos. But others are not. I remember a gracious lady in our church in California who declared that she had no gift. I gently corrected her, "You are the most hospitable person I've ever met. You welcome people at church and into your home. You bless those around you with your sweet attitude, making everyone feel welcome." She was looking for something more visible and didn't realize the impact that she had on others.

Philippians 2:3-4 – Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. (NLT)

In addition to discovering our gifts, we need to use them to bless and build up others. We need to make sure that others are encouraged, honoured, built up, strengthened, and equipped through our actions.

Do you know what your gift is? Are you using it to honour God and serve others? It's never too late to find out, as my husband discovered.

Prayer: Father, help us to discover and to use our gifts in Your service. We want to be a blessing and encouragement to others. Amen.

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About the author:

Sharon Cook <craftercook@gmail.com>
Apache Junction, Arizona, USA
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