A Birthday Card From Your Creator (A 7-Day Devotional) Sample

YOU HAVE GIFTS (THAT ARE MEANT TO BE SHARED)!

In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. - Romans 12:6-8 (NLT)

I hope you received lots of amazing gifts for your birthday! If you are the type that likes opening something special picked out just for you, I hope you were handed the perfect gift—wrapped with a bow! If you are someone who most desires quality time, I hope you enjoyed a fabulous meal with people you love, with delicious food and memorable conversation.

And in the midst of all of the tangible presents you receive on your birthday, I don’t want you to overlook all of the wonderful gifts God has given you! I’m not talking about material gifts—although perhaps you are thankful for your home, the food in your refrigerator, or the reliable car you drive. No, I’m talking about the GIFTING God has specifically given to you—the ability to do certain things well.

From the time God created you in your mother’s womb (wonderfully, remember?), He also channeled His creativity into giving you gifts that are not just for you, but for those He brings into your life.

In this passage in Romans, Paul mentions some very specific gifts: prophecy, serving, teaching, encouragement, generosity, leadership, and kindness.

One of these abilities may immediately jump out to you. (And, if you are like me, the reason it stands out to you is because you see those words and think, “That is NOT my gift!”) But it’s okay if you don’t have one of these gifts. This list is not exhaustive. Paul clearly states that God has given each of us DIFFERENT gifts to use.

Perhaps your gift is public speaking, or hospitality, or comforting others. Whatever it is, the apostle Paul says that it is something God wants you to exercise with excellence. So, if it is speaking, pray and prepare well… if it is hospitality, then open your doors wide… if it is comforting others, make your shoulder readily available to lean on.

Reflect, Pray, and Celebrate Your Birthday!

There is no doubt that God has gifted you in some way, and He wants you to use your gifts.

Today, write down just one way you believe God has gifted you. (If this is difficult for you, don’t avoid this exercise. It says in 1 Corinthians 12:7 that “A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.”) It does not have to be a world-changing gift, but it is likely a life-changing gift if you use it faithfully in your own sphere of influence.

Then pray and ask God to show you how He wants to use you in the year ahead. Write down one practical way you could use your gift. (For example, if you feel like God has created you to be hospitable, plan for a way you might open your home to others once a month—or once a week— this year.) Using the gifts you were intentionally given will both impact others and bless you.