your gift

Today we read in the One Year Bible from 1 Corinthians 12:1-26. Paul tells us that we are all given gifts, and we should discover what they are and use them for the kingdom of God.

You might be wondering what your gifts are. Well, the first thing to do in order to find out is to ask Him to show you what they are. Then think about what you're good at, and what people tell you that you should do. Try different things. Think about what makes you happy when you do it. Where your deepest passion meets the world's greatest need: that's your calling. That's your gift.

It might not be anything big. My hero St Therese of Liseux, was not famous or well known. She became a cloistered nun when she was just a child, so she didn't even meet very many people in her lifetime. When she died, her time in the convent had been so unremarkable that her fellow nuns were stumped about what to say at her funeral.

But she loved. In her little way, she found that her little gift was to love people. Even - and ESPECIALLY - those who were hard to love. She offered up her many sufferings to Jesus, to be united with His. And she wrote an autobiography (because she was ordered to by her superior) which was so full of wisdom regarding this "little way" that she has since become a doctor of the church, and her little book has been translated into dozens of languages and sold millions of copies around the world, helping countless people come to know God better.

So whatever your gift is, even if it's very small.... He can use it in a big way. Just offer it to Him, and then watch what He does.

God, thank You for giving all of us gifts. Please help us discover them, and use them for Your glory.