Several days ago we attended a school musical program.  The audience quieted as a lovely young teenaged girl sat down to the grand piano on stage.  The packed auditorium seemed transported from their mundane lives to a different dimension while she played and erupted into enthusiastic applause when she finished her flawless performance.  One young girl had given release and pleasure to many hundreds of listeners, not once, but five times during the program.  I remembered my recitals so many years ago and my lack of musical skill.  Our seven-year-old granddaughter also participated in the music program with concentration and skill as she played a large drum.  She had visited us the day before and demonstrated the hand pattern of a drumming technique she had been taught.  Her rhythm was perfect, but when she tried to teach me, she gave up in frustration.  I will never be asked to perform music on stage!  

“David assigned . . . men to lead the music at the house of the Lord after the Ark was placed there.  They ministered with music at the Tabernacle until Solomon built the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem.”  1 Chronicles 6:31-32

“The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang: “He is good; his love endures forever.” Then the temple of the Lord was filled with the cloud”  2 Chronicles 5:13

Maybe you also have musical talent.  When you share it even in an informal context at home or in the car, you bring happiness to others.  But what if you’re like me and are a musical failure?  No need to envy others or feel less than them. There are other ways you’re equipped to contribute to the lives of others.  You have been given abilities that your family and faith community need.  Embrace what God gave you.  Develop it and use it for the good of others.  Remember that pretty girl at the piano?  What the audience didn’t know was that she had practiced two hours daily and she had to conquer stage nerves before her stunning performance.  But she embraced her gift.  She developed it and she used it for the good of others.

The apostle Paul spoke three languages, was highly educated, had a Type A personality and needed all of that to serve God and others in the way God called him.  God orchestrated all of this so Paul would be equipped for his calling.  Paul had no control over being born in a Roman city so that he learned Greek from an early age.  Paul didn’t choose his driven personality that propelled him to excel in learning the Hebrew Scriptures, and enabled him to rise to leadership positions.  Yet all of this would have only fueled his ego if the Spirit of God had not empowered him to use these advantages to serve others.

But what if you aren’t tri-lingual, well educated, and a Type A?  Are you excused from serving?  Nope.  Think about the apostle Peter.  He was uneducated, came from a backward, rural province, and had an impetuous personality that caused him to over-react and get in trouble.  He seemed disqualified to lead a movement that would turn the world upside-down.  Yet the Spit of God enabled him to lead the early church through tumultuous times.

I love a quote from a mentor of mine, “You’re good enough to serve.”  This was taught in a business context, but I think it is true in every aspect of life.  Did you know that your education, (or lack of it), your life experiences, your knowledge, your personality, your preferences, your family, your friendships, your skills have equipped you to do whatever God is asking you to do today?  Yes!  Your whole life has prepared you to live today in service.  God guided your life and is giving you the power to do all he asks of you. 

What a comfort and encouragement to know that every life experience helps us.  No matter if that experience is happy, difficult, new, repetitive, challenging, enjoyable, mundane, exciting, scary, or boring.  Nothing is random or pointless.  Our past experiences helped us to enter the kingdom of God.  And our daily experiences remind us to live in that kingdom and bring others into it.  

One of the happy tasks God gave Husband and I have is to welcome visitors to our church.  Oh, this isn’t an official job with a badge to prove it.  We just remember the many times we were the visitors in our 28 moves.  Someone always reached out to us and made all the difference when we were the outsiders.  So now when we notice a new person, we just try to let them know they are seen and heard.  It’s amazing how easy it is to find common ground with a stranger.  God has orchestrated our lives in such a way that something in our life experiences allows us to connect.  A common love of vintage cars, of shopping at Costco, friends in common, clothing in common, (Two years ago I struck up a conversation with a woman because we have the same jacket.  Now we are dear friends.)  Everyone likes talking about their kids or grandkids.  Just asking some questions and being a good listener opens doors to new friendships.  Then we try to be true friends to them on a continuing basis by caring about what’s happening in their lives just like our past friends did for us.  We invite them to our house so we can get to know each other in an unhurried manner.  Sometimes it may involve making portraits of their children at my home studio!  And the joy is passed on to my dear readers who get to enjoy those smiling faces, too.

“In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well…  If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.  If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them.”  Romans 12:6-9

Striking up a conversation with strangers may not be your cup of tea.  Music might not be your forte (pun intended).  You may think that you have insignificant gifts that wouldn’t make much difference in other people’s lives.  Think again.  Do you really think your loving Heavenly Father would give you a gift that doesn’t matter?  That sounds ungrateful and insulting to God, doesn’t it?  All God’s gifts are good.  Good for your growth and good for those around you.  What are you doing with your gifts?

“So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”  Luke 11:16

“There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.
A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. The same Spirit gives great faith to another. . .”  1 Corinthians 12:5-8