Wednesday, December 2, 2020
by Ginny Hatcher

 

“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” ~ 1 Peter 4:10

Recently on a return trip from Florida, I sat next to a young man from the South who was traveling with a large group from his church. About 20 of them had been on vacation together. As he got settled in, it didn’t take him long to explain that he had been very sick the night before and his vacation friends had prayed over him. He asked me if I knew the Lord, and I assured him I did. The next 20 minutes or so was spent with him asking me questions about my beliefs and me politely answering him. We praised God together and talked of His goodness on many topics from food poisoning to cancer.

I had the distinct impression that it would have pleased him more if I had been a non-believer. Then he could have debated and testified and then shown me the plan of salvation! I was a done deal! I knew where I was going when this life is over, I have been saved, I go to church, I pray and praise and worship! I serve in my church where and when I can. I was a boring seat-mate! He didn’t get to use his gift of evangelism on me!

While in this season of celebration for the life of our Holy Savior, Jesus, the Son of God, why don’t we be about using the gifts He has already given us? Do you have the gift of mercy? Show it! The gift of evangelism like the young man I sat next to on the plane? Do it! How about the gifts of encouragement? I think I practiced that one on the flight. Are you grateful and happy? Then spread it around. Any gift is not good unless it is shared! Merry Christmas!