The Gift Only You Can Give

Scripture:
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." - 1 Peter 4:10

There's something you can do that nobody else can do quite the way you do it.

I know that sounds like motivational poster nonsense, but stay with me. Peter says God's grace comes in "various forms", different expressions, different flavours. Your specific combination of experiences, perspectives, abilities, and personality is unique. Nobody else has walked your exact path or sees the world through your exact lens.

That matters more than you think.

Maybe you're great at making people feel comfortable. That's not a small thing; that's a gift that helps anxious people find their footing. Maybe you have a knack for explaining complicated ideas simply. That's a bridge between knowledge and understanding that many people desperately need. Maybe you've survived something terrible and came out the other side. Your story is a lifeline for someone just entering that dark valley.

The problem is we compare. We see someone with a more "impressive" gift and think ours doesn't matter. She can sing beautifully; I can just show up and set up chairs. He can preach powerfully; I can just listen well to people who are hurting. They can give thousands; I can just give twenty dollars.
Just? There's no "just" in the kingdom of God.

The person setting up chairs is creating a welcoming space. The person listening is providing something many people never get: genuine attention without judgment. The person giving twenty dollars out of a tight budget is displaying more faith than someone giving thousands from excess.

Peter's point is that stewardship of gifts isn't optional. "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received." Not if you feel like it. Not when you're confident enough. Not until you've developed it more. Now. With what you have. Where are you?

Here's what I've learned: when you steward the gift you have, God often expands it. You start showing up to set up chairs, and eventually someone asks if you'd help plan the whole event. You start listening to one hurting friend, and suddenly you're the person others come to when they need to talk. You give what you can consistently, and God grows your capacity to give more.

But it starts with using what's already in your hands. Not waiting until you have more. Not comparing yourself to others. Just faithfully offering what you have.

Reflection: What gift do you have that you've been dismissing as unimportant? How could you steward that gift better this week?

Prayer: Father, help me see the gifts You've given me clearly, without comparison or false humility. Show me where You want me to use what I have, and give me the courage to offer it faithfully. Amen.