2 Timothy 1:6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

How do you choose a gift for someone you love? Whether it is for a friend or a relative or one of your children you pick something that will enrich and bring joy to their lives. And through the giving of the gift you receive joy. I especially love to give my children gifts. I remember on their birthday or Christmas morning basking in the laughter and squeals as they opened their presents. I think God is the same way. He loves us with an everlasting and complete love. He is so pleased to lavish on us good gifts. He loves to watch us receive a gift from Him. He watches as we inspect it from every angle. Jesus said in Matthew 7:11 if you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

I believe my writing is a gift from God. He started urging me to write, last year, as I began my journey through cancer and all the surgeries and treatments. I fought it. I didn’t want to do it. I didn’t do it consistently until several weeks ago when I started this blog. Then, as I began to write, I would wait for Him to show me the topic for the day. As I wrote each days blog I would pray continuously for Him to speak through me. And I believe He has. Before I allowed Him to control the flow and direction of my writing I couldn’t put two cohesive sentences together.

There are several places in scripture that talk about the gifts of God. It says in Ephesians 4:7-8,11-12 but to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.” And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.
So the gifts are given to us for two reasons according to this scripture.
1.) For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry.
2.) For the edifying of the body of Christ.

In the summer of 1999 The Lord told me that the gift He was giving me was to preach and teach. He told me by illuminating that part of the scripture I just referenced. I had no idea that it would take 14 years for me to step into my calling, even to the small degree that I have begun. God is faithful and He doesn’t forget. (Romans 11:29 for the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable) Even while I was so far away from Him He never forgot His plans for me. (Jeremiah 29:11) A lot of things have happened in my life in the last 14 years. I know that if I share, without reservation, He is going to use the things I have done and been through to draw people to Him. He will soften their hearts so they can accept that if, after everything I did, God loves me and blesses me and calls me His child, He will do the same for them. That is my calling and I accept it without hesitation.

What is yours? Are you being obedient?