Monday, February 6, 2012

The Tragedy of the Unopened Gift


It's so easy to get complacent and comfortable and self-absorbed and stuck in our routines until we eventually just...exist. No plans, no vision, no purpose, no desire to make a difference.

God has given each of us specific gifts and talents and abilities. He has entrusted us with a sphere of influence, a people waiting to know God through our emptying. Through our pouring out what has been deposited, not only are we re-filled and refreshed and strengthened, but other hearts are mended and souls are restored because.

Those assigned to our sphere of influence are waiting for us to do something.

But the choice remains ours.

The Tragedy of the Unopened Gift

To sinful patterns of behavior that never get confronted and changed,
Abilities and gifts that never get cultivated and deployed,
Until weeks become months
And months turn into years
And one day you're looking back to a life of
Deep, intimate, gut-wrenchingly honest conversations you never had;
Great bold prayers you never prayed,
Exhilarating risks you never took,
Sacrificial gifts you never offered,
Lives you never touched,
And you're sitting in a recliner with a shriveled soul,
And forgotten dreams, and you realize there was a world of desperate need,
And a great God calling you to be part of something bigger than yourself-
You see the person you could have become but did not;
You never followed your calling.
You never got out of the boat.

-Gregg Levoy

A few years ago I was teaching a bible study in my home and I ran across this poem. I used it in our introductory session as a reminder that each of us have a purpose and can make a difference, but we also have the choice not to. We have to encourage ourselves (as David did) and live each day with purpose, take risks, love, remember our dreams, and open the gifts that God has placed on the inside of you (and me!)!!! Don't wait until the end of your life and see the person you COULD have become, be that person now.

Write that book.

Start that business or non-profit.

Paint those beautiful images God has given you.

Speak your testimony.

Sing. Act. Dance. Create.

Serve. Help. Exhort. Pray.

Do.

Something.

The gift has been given.

It's time to share it.

(Photo Source: Flickr Creative Commons: asenat29)
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Linking with Jen and the Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood. You should join the party :)

Also joining graceful Michelle :)

9 friends had this to say:

Anonymous said...

Something that has been heavy on my soul for several weeks. Thank you for encouragement. "Write a book"..of course that would be the first suggestion! If I only had a nickel! God bless you!

Stacy @ Heartprints of God said...

..."Don't wait until the end of your life and see the person you COULD have become..."

Lately, God has been speaking one thing to my heart, over and over and over again:
You were created ON purpose, WITH purpose, FOR a purpose. Purpose to be who I created you to be!

Thank you, sweet friend, for this reminder to start ripping open the package and enjoying ,living, and re-gifting HIS gift!

Amy Sullivan said...

I like posts that encourage us to just get up and do it. Use those gifts He showers us with. That's hard to say and even harder to make happen, but with reminders like this, we can't look away.

Great poem. I hadn't heard it.

Jean Wise said...

Very inspiration post. As couple of years ago I had the opportunity for early retirement and one reason I took it was to use some of the gifts God gave me that I didn't have time to use well while working fulltime. Never regretted it either. You know each day we should ask God for a God-sized dream!

Shelly said...

Thank you, Diana...and blessings to you, too!

Stacy...On purpose, WITH purpose, FOR a purpose...love that! xoxo

Amy...You're right...definitely hard to make happen, which is why I need the reminders, too. Thanks!

Jean...An awesome testimony! Thanks for stopping by today :)

Melanie Dorsey said...

I've been thinking along these same lines lately.

Elizabeth Griffin said...

Great post. I love it. Thanks so much for reminding me to be who God has called me to be.

Unknown said...

Amen, girl. You have said it and said it so well. We don't want to miss out on the adventure He has planned for us!

AmyAlves said...

Hey! I just stumbled upon your blog and I love it! What a great post! We have endless potential in Christ! Lately, in my life I've been pursuing women's ministry and also learning more about my own spiritual gifts! Life doesn't get much more exciting than following what the Holy Spirit puts on my heart! -many blessings, Amy from amyswomantics.blogspot.com