Daily devotional, November 6, 2023 White elephant
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." James 1:17
November is here and we are now approaching the season of giving. We will have Christmas parties here and there, and gifting galore. Experience tells us though that not every gift we give will be liked by the recipient, and vice versa. Hence, after the holiday season, groups of friends, office mates, and even relatives get together for a “white elephant’ gift exchange where every attendee is asked to bring a gift she received which she sees no use for, and exchange it with others.
As Christians, we are more than blessed to receive gifts from the Lord. Apart from the everyday blessings that sustain us, and the happy ones that surprise us, we have all received a “gift” from the Lord that allows us to be a blessing to others.
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 4:10-11
But unlike your usual holiday gifts which can be used in a white elephant gift exchange or be replaced in the store with a gift receipt, gifts from above are irrevocable. “For God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable,” Romans 11:29.
What God has given us and called us to do will never be taken from us. These includes the gifts and promises that He has for us since we were born “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully” (Romans 12:6-8). We can be sure that when he calls us to a specific ministry, that calling remains to be there regardless if we responded to it and did as He instructed, or not.
One of the best examples is Moses responding to God’s call to take the Israelites out of Egypt, and receiving at the same time God’s promise to be with Him on this mission: “And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain,” (Exodus 3:12). God did not renege on all his promises to Moses, and He did not revoke His calling.
One of the best preachers I know explained that responding to God’s calling does not automatically mean entering religious life such as priesthood, nunnery, or pastorhood. He said, it means using the gifts you have been given by the Lord to carry out the mission He has entrusted to us which is to preach the good news and make disciples of all nations.
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age,” Matthew 28:19-20.
We can achieve this mission depending on our gifts and calling. For instance if we are a student, then we can be active in Church and youth ministries. If we are a mom and we like to teach, then we can volunteer to teach on Sunday School. If we are musically inclined then why not join the choir or the worship team? If we have a knack for scheduling, organizing and administrative tasks then we can volunteer in church work and charitable missions. If we love helping out others who are struggling then we can join various ministries in relation to our existing profession or salvation experiences (drug addiction, women in crisis, prison ministry, elderly and hospice care, orphanage, etc). In the workplace, we can organize bible studies. Other simple yet impactful ways are if we have gifts in relation to the arts. For instance if you are gifted in photography, then why not take pictures of God’s creation and write wonderful reflections based from bible passages as its caption — so that your social media posts can help disseminate the Good News about Jesus? Same goes with painting, calligraphy, media arts, creative writing, and the like. We can all reach the unreached!
Now discerning one’s calling is something that we all have to find out ourselves. Our parents, teachers, and even church leaders cannot decipher that for us. By establishing and nurturing a personal relationship with the Lord, we get to be more perceptible in terms of hearing His voice, and realizing the truths He wants to reveal to us: “Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God” John 8:47.
By praying to Him everyday and spending time reading the bible, and learning about His words and life, we get to discover God’s messages to us, appreciate His gifts, and ultimately realize His calling. Let us abide by Him and carry out His mission for us.
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Romans 11:29-36 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Are you aware of God’s special gift to you? Have you heard his calling so you could use these gifts?
Conversation with the Lord: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for equipping me with special gifts so that I could carry out your calling, will and purpose for my life. Please allow me to discern what you have called me to do and guide me through its fruition. I love you Lord. Amen.