Called to Share God's Gifts

Oliver Wendell Holmes, U. S. Supreme Court Justice in the early twentieth century, declared his passion for making the best of life. He emphatically declared,  "All life consists of passion and action" and requires that you "share this passion and action" for the good of mankind to prevent being judged as having lived for nothing. He lived to honor both God and man. 

Holmes stated that as a youth he was moved to make his mark on the world. He became a physician to help others live healthier lives. Paralleling this passion was a sense of duty he expressed in these words, "The rule of joy and the law of duty are one and the same." How would you explain your passionate joy for life?

           

God called Moses to lead the Hebrew people out of bondage in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land. He maintained this passion through discouragements and personal failures. Today Moses is honored as being a priest and prophet as well as for writing the first five books of our Bible. God will give you passion for fulfilling his purpose for you.  

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He saved us and called us to be holy, not because we did anything, but because he planned a gift of his love and gave it to us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

~2 Timothy 1:9 Beck – New Testament in the Language of Today

Each one, as a good manager of God’s different gifts, must use for the good of others the special gift he [or she] has received from God.

~1 Peter 3:10 Good News Bible

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, take a hard look at Jesus. He's the centerpiece of everything we believe, faithful in everything God gave him to do.  

~Hebrews 3:1 New International Version; The Message

Accept God's Work and Wisdom

The idea that God calls individuals for specific tasks may be difficult to comprehend. When Joseph came before Pharaoh, king of Egypt to interpret his dreams, how could he have imagined that within minutes of his interpretation he would be the second highest ranking official in Egypt responsible for providing food for all its people? 

          Joseph came directly from prison to interpret Pharaoh's dreams. This opportunity stemmed from having helped a fellow inmate two years earlier. That man recommended him to Pharaoh. When you use your abilities to help others, never underestimate the far-reaching effects of what a good deed, an act of kindness, or a word of encouragement may mean to God. 

          1 Corinthians 15:58 is a reminder. "So, then my dear friends stand firm and steady. Keep busy always in your work for the Lord since you know that nothing you do in the Lord’s service is ever useless.” Give God credit for creating you for a specific task and providing you the wisdom to carry it out. When you ask God for wisdom, He will give it.  

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If you are wise, live a life of steady goodness, so that only good deeds will pour forth. And if you don’t brag about them, then you will be truly wise!

…The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure and full of quiet gentleness. Then it is peace-loving and courteous. It allows discussion and is straightforward and sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.

~James 3:13, 17-18 The Living Bible