OUR TALENTS

The below devotional is so timely.

Just recently God confirmed a stirring in my heart through a prophetic word spoken to me.

Lately I have been thinking earnestly about what He wants specifically from me when it comes down to my talents and gifts. To then recognize them and begin to nurture them and use them not only to glorify Him, but to enrich the lives of myself and others.

"I do not want to die . . . until I have faithfully made the most of my talent and cultivated the seed that was placed in me until the last small twig has grown." — Kathe Kollwitz

There's so much to do before we rest . . . so much to do. We each are gifted with talents, similar in some respects to others' talents, but unique in how we'll be able to use them. Do we realize our talents? We need only to dare to dream, and there they'll be.

It's so easy to fall into the trap of self-pity, thinking we have no purpose, fearing we'll take life nowhere, dreading others' expectations of us. But we can turn our thinking around at any moment. The choice is ours. We can simply decide to discover our talents, and nurture them and enrich the lives of others. The benefits will be many. So will the joys.

We have a very important part to play, today, in the lives we touch. We can expect adventure, and we'll find it. We can look for our purpose; it's at hand. We can remember - we aren't alone. We are in partnership every moment. Our talents are God-given, and guidance for their full use is part of the gift.

I will have a dream today. In my dream is my direction.

Hazelden Foundation