I was sitting in church one Sunday and heard someone singing behind me with such a beautiful voice. I wondered why her gift wasn’t being used, she could have easily been on a stage of some kind. What a shame, I thought, my voice sounds like fingers on a chalkboard compared to hers.

Suddenly I heard the Spirit speak, “The deceiver comes to convince people that they have no gift, that their gift isn’t good enough, not pretty enough. He even tells them they have no talent until they place the gift upon a shelf or only use it for themselves. He makes them ‘shy’, they say, ‘Oh no thank you, I’m not good enough.’

“They refuse out of fear, self deprivation and just plain selfishness. I gave them a gift so that My plans and purposes could come in the earth. When you bless Me with your gift by using it as an offering, even if it’s not perfect in your ears, it is perfect in Mine.”

Well that brought me up short. How many times have I done the same thing? It made me realize that ‘perfect’ to me is distorted compared to God’s perspective. If I constantly compare my gift to others’ gifts, I’d never sing again, never type another word on my blog, never share a smile or word of encouragement.

If your struggle is as real as mine, don’t listen to the deceiver! Don’t let him win over the ‘imperfect’ gift you possess. If it’s good enough for God, it’s good enough. Be thankful for what you do have, don’t compare yourself with others and don’t sit on your gift. Use it or lose it, your choice.

Father, I humbly offer my old gift to you. May it be sweet to Your ears and bring glory to You. For all the other gifts I hold, may I not discount them based on my abilities, but Yours. It’s faith in You that allows me to be successful in all I do. As I discover these gifts, may I open them up and ask you for instructions so they may bless you and others. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.