Yes, You Have Spiritual Giftsનમૂનો
The Amazing Merlin
Recently, I met an amazing man named Merlin. Merlin is an 81-year-old woodworker who can outhustle a team of 20-something construction workers. During our church’s recent building project, I watched Merlin donating his God-given gift for our new worship space. The all-wooden stage? Merlin’s work. The 24 beautiful cafe tables for the lobby? Merlin’s work. The 12-foot conference room table that takes your breath away? Merlin’s work.
In the middle of the project, I asked our general contractor how much money Merlin was single-handedly saving our church by donating his time and talent. “Fifty thousand dollars,” the contractor replied. Stunned, I went to find Merlin to thank him for his generous heart. Eventually I found him, sitting on the floor in his sawdust-covered jeans, quietly eating a sandwich out of his old-school lunch box. He smiled at me, nodded a “You’re welcome,” and went back to work.
Merlin makes me think of Peter’s words about the goal of our God-given gifts. “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others . . . so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:10,11).
In the years to come, many people will share a coffee in the lobby, share ideas in the conference room, and preach and sing the gospel from our church’s gorgeous stage. They might forget Merlin’s name, but I pray that we all remember the glorious name of Jesus. And I pray that your gift does the same.
Scripture
About this Plan
Do you doubt that God has given you spiritual gifts? Do you wonder what they are? This reading plan shows you that without a doubt, God gives gifts to each of us.
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