Some of us, from a young age are told the abilities that we have and these are celebrated. I am not talking about talent to do a particular thing but the positive emotional impact that our actions can generate. How many of you can remember having to perform for relatives - whether a dance routine, piano piece or a song? Our parents looked on us with pride and happiness perhaps seeing an unfulfilled dream that they want you to explore. Some of us have desires to make an impact on our surroundings, to do things differently and if given the right exposure and nurtured uncover many abilities that can blossom. We can also think about those never got any encouragement or support who through their hardship only find out about about a particular ability until very much later on in life discovering that they have the desire to write, paint, or fulfil a passion that they had once thought buried, and these activities impacts on the emotional lives of others.
We all have the ability to impact positively on others and in the fast paced lives we lead we often miss opportunity because we haven't given ourselves the time to really explore, and get to know ourselves and what makes us tick. It can sometimes be easier to see the abilities that another has and
feel frustrated that they are not utilising what they have or not getting the most that could be gained out of life.
I don't think that the abilities that we have are meant for ourselves either. If you have an ability to be able to encourage others, why wouldn't you, or to teach - find different ways to do it if you are not comfortable in the class room - think video, podcasts. You might have the ability to keep calm and in stressful situations or bring about peace. You might be able to inspire and encourage others enabling them to see the treasures and the light in their lives, or through your humour ease tension.
Think out of the box when you think about your abilities, the don't have to manifest in the traditional ways, we don't have to use them as they've always been used, or are expected to be used. God gives us talents, gifts and abilities which are to be used for the benefit of all who live in the world today and who are yet to come, not to be afraid of, shamed or hidden, but to be used, shared and celebrated each and every day.
How can you take one step today to recognise an ability that you have, or have not used for a long time and shine a spot light on it?
I am coming soon. ..Revelation 3:11
We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers
and sisters, about
the troubles we experienced in
the province of Asia. We
were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we
despaired of life itself. 2 Corinthians 1:8