Am I sure of what I bring to the table?

When you sit down and you think about dating, talk about dating and pray about dating, do you find that a lot of your desires are somehow linked to your needs being met?

• I need to be with someone who can pray for me
• I need to be with someone who will encourage me
• I need to be with someone that I can do ministry with

I’m sure all the sayings above sound familiar. Perhaps if you haven’t said them yourself then maybe you’ve heard them - but wait, what about you: what do you bring to the table? Are you able to look at yourself and see how you can be all of the above and more?

I admit, I find it a harder thing to do - that is, to look at what I have to offer as opposed to what I lack, but being balanced is important. Knowing your value and your worth through what you have to offer is not pompous or proud, it’s just an acknowledgement of the good gifts that the Father has put in you.

Today’s reading in Ephesians 4:7-13 shows us that God has given us specific gifts and carved out a space for us to use them and that space is not just within the church! God wants us to use these special gifts in every area of life, even in our relationships.

In 1 Timothy 4:14 we see Paul reminding Timothy not to neglect the gifts that he had. Sometimes we need that reminder too. While dating, don’t be so modest that you aren’t able to share and express just how uniquely endowed you are with God’s blessings.

The last thing I’d say to you is that, even in knowing how special and valuable your characteristics are, don’t stop looking for more ways to be a blessing. We can see in 2 Peter 1:5-8, that we can always add and bring more.

Let’s pray. . . Heavenly Father, thank you for ascending and leaving me with gifts to share with those around me. I pray that, as I date, you will help me to always bring goodness, self-control and love into all my interactions. Holy Spirit, help me not to neglect the good and precious gifts that you have given to me, in Jesus’ name. Amen.