"for right now, until that completeness (when we see ourselves and God clearly in heaven), we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagently. And the best of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13
Did you get it? Trust God steadily. Hope in Him and His goodness unswervingly. Love Him and people extravagently.
That is our focus. That is what our lives are to be like.
We need to do this for ourselves. Only living like this can we tap into who God created us to be.
People need us to trust and hope and love wholly because there are too many people who don't trust God or anyone; who don't have any hope; who have never experienced real love.
The world needs us (no matter what we hear). The world (meaning the world system, not creation) sends out messages of fear and distrust and discontent. Trust and hope and love are so much more powerful than fear and distrust and discontent.
Later in the same chapter I quoted it says, "Love never fails."
That is the divine love we all can be part of if we allow God to love through us. This is true success. This is true life.
1 Corinthians 14:1 goes on to say, "Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it -- because it does. Give yourselves to the gifts God gives you. Most of all, try to proclaim his truth."
You have abilities and gifts God has given you to spread His love and truth. Those gifts are needed. The world needs to see them in action. God's people need to see them in action. Don't compare your gifts to anyone else's. Don't desire someone else's gifts. Yours were uniquely created for you to work with who you were created to be and work through you to proclaim God's truth and love to all.
Don't take this lightly. This is vital to you and to everyone around you. To me! I challenge you to use your gifts.
(Okay, so you say, you have no idea what your gift(s) are. Answer these questions:
1. When you were a young child what did you love to do?
2. What do you seem to understand or get quicker than others do?
3. What does another person do that makes you feel very much loved?
4. What kinds of activities do you lose track of time doing -- not the zoned out kind of losing track of time but the fully alive kind of losing track of time?
5. What needs do you see in your church? In the world you inhabit?
If you've answered those questions and you still can't figure out what your gift is or not sure, email me here. I'll help you figure it out.