I'm good at that. ???
I do. I really do. It's also very uncomfortable to hear those words from others. But it's complicated because it's something I crave, nonetheless. I believe we all do. I believe this because we all have gifts. We all have unique things that only we can offer our communities, our world. But it takes bravery to use those gifts.
Gifts take some coaxing to come out and shine and be used well.
We've been told not to self-promote. We've been told not to become self-absorbed and puffed up with pride. Now the pendulum has swung in compensation. Gifts lie dormant, gathering dust. What holds them back? The very recognizable yet very sneaky fear.
These gifts have never been about us. They originate from the Creator's imagination, graciously bestowed on the created to be grown, refined, and used for our great joy and His fame. Yet fear tells us to be careful, cautious, don't get too eager, don't abuse these abilities. Wisdom is good, but suppressing gifts goes against the edification process, one process in which our Creator displays His creativity to his world.
So gifts need coaxing. We need to start recognizing and watching in wonder at our brothers and sisters. We need to call out the good we see in each other; be their advocates who are willing to say "you're good at that" when they are afraid. We need to acknowledge the source of these abilities and let our jaws fall open in amazement at the imagination of our Father. We need to accept the praise of others when they call out our gifts, fingers pointing upward to the glorious Gift-giver.
Be brave. Use those gifts. What are you good at?
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