G I F T S

I Peter 4:10

As an athlete you're a gifted person.  From where do these gifts come?  How is it that you're given certain abilities and others do not possess them?  How much of your talent is a gift and how much is cultivated skill?  How should we use our gifts and abilities in relation to our teammates and coaches?  The Scripture has some insight into all these questions.

In Peter's first letter to his friends in Asia, in chapter 4 and verse 10 he writes, "As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms."  What special gift have you received?  How are you specially gifted?  How well do you manage the gifts with which you've been entrusted? 

The key message for me in this sentence is that I'm to use my giftedness in the service of others.  The fact of my being gifted has very little to do with me, but everything to do with Him who gives the gifts.  These are gifts, not merit badges.  I'm called to exercise my gifts in the service of others.  Think for a minute about how to use your giftedness in the service of your teammates. 

Where sports are concerned, some of you are gifted at ball handling, others at rebounding, others at running, others in encouraging, others at defense, others at passing, still others at developing a game plan.  The key for us all is to not exercise these gifts selfishly, but in the service of all the others.  The Giver of the gifts is best honored by this kind of selfless, humble, effective, management. 

Pray and ask Him to give you the strength to serve your teammates through the exercise of your gifts. 

Bible Reading Plan:
Matthew 14:22-36
Psalms 34
Exodus 30-31