I love creating. I love that the Lord gave me a gift to be creative and create through t-shirt designs, writing, art pieces, or creating a space for people to come together. I cherish this gift, but that wasn’t always the case. While I loved the idea of creating, I was always praying for another gift, which I thought was “more glorified.”
But as I was creating a piece this weekend and praying, I felt the Lord say two things. First, “You are praying for another gift, but why would I give you something new when you haven’t fully stewarded what I’ve already given you? You are just scratching the surface with what I’ve placed in your hands.” Second, “It is all about Me.”
Why we do what we do and have the gifts we have isn’t about us. It isn’t about pleasing others. It isn’t about the platform we have or the attention we gain. It is all about Jesus—about faithfully stewarding the gifts He has given us. I heard this quote over the weekend, and it hit me hard:
“It only takes a moment for the purity of worship to be compromised the minute I think that what has happened in this room has to do with me. The minute I think that God’s glory coming into the room came because of something that I did, because it was something special that I offered, is the minute He will remove His hand.”
When many people think of worship, they think of the worship leader singing on stage or the musicians playing their instruments, but worship is so much more than that. Worship is using what God has placed in your hands for HIS glory. The moment we think, “Look at my talent,” or downplay the talents God has given us, we’ve taken our eyes off the Creator. We’ve taken our eyes off the Giver. It is all about Jesus!
I think it’s funny how, as I was sitting with the Lord on this, it was exactly what Pastor Carl preached:
“The gifts are there to spotlight Christ and bring glory to Christ.”
“These gifts are not to promote you; they’re about making people feel loved.”
God has given each of us a gift. How we use and steward it says a lot about who we worship. If it isn’t for Jesus, it’s a waste, because it is all about Jesus. Everything else—our purpose, calling, and impact—flows from our worship of Him.
“For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.” Romans 11:36
