As we approach the holiday season, gifts are constantly on our minds (even if they are not, advertisements will remind you of this obligation). I would like to talk about gifts, not ones wrapped in a box, but the ones God has given to each of us. God has endowed each of us with a gift in order to serve his people (1 Pet 4:10a). In the New Testament, many gifts were miraculous, and people could speak in tongues, heal miraculously, and prophesy to the congregation. While these miraculous gifts have faded among Christians, we still have gifts from God that are just as important, and we can each use our talents for his glory.

However, some of you may think that you are too imperfect, and your gifts are not important enough to be used by God for his service. But Scripture reveals to us that God can use almost any gift to his glory. When Israel was being oppressed by the Midianites, God raised up Ehud to deliver them. The Bible tells us that Ehud’s gift was that he was left-handed (or ambidextrous), and this made him perfectly qualified for God’s task – assassinating king Eglon. My challenge to you is threefold: First, reflect on your gifts and your skill sets. Second, ask God to help you use these gifts to his glory. Finally, take action. Without this last step, you will be like the wicked servant who hid his master’s talent instead of using it to glorify his master (Luke 19:11–27).