surrendering my gifts... day 18

I should never let my gifting

take precedence over my calling.

~Michael O'Brien

In sharing his testimony as he lead worship at E-women, Michael O'Brien expressed these words of wisdom and they have found their way to my heart.

So often, I have let my gift become the most important thing in my life.  I have vainly pursued using the gift, developing the gift, or even worrying about the gift to fill the hours in my days.

My calling, though, is something I take for granted.  I am called to serve my Master.  I am called to be Chad's wife.  I am called to be mom to the 3 E's.  I am called to be daughter and sister.  

Sometimes my calling doesn't look very fancy.  It isn't shiny and new.  It doesn't sparkle or shine.  Honestly, I've been doing this calling for a long time.  The sparkly calling of a brand-new bride is now 17 1/2 years of hard work, long hours and bumps and bruises.  The fresh new calling of motherhood with the smell of my sweet newborn is long gone.  He rarely smells good anymore.  He's taller than I am and often sports an attitude of equal size.  

I can go on... I've been daughter for 42 years.  I'm confident that luster was lost when I stopped smelling like Baby Magic.  Sister?  Well, there wasn't much thrill there 40 years ago... although, my God is a Redeemer of EVERY thing and has redeemed sister relationships to sweet fellowship of sisters and sisters in Christ.

The point?  God spoke directly to my heart through Michael O'Brien this weekend.  When I grow weary of my calling, I flex my gifts.  I look for something new, shiny, sparkly and fresh to replace that of which I have grown weary.

When my gifting takes precedence over my calling, I use my gifts to glorify myself.  It becomes all about me and nothing about Him.  

...and, when I pursue my calling first, He will use my gifts for His glory.  Surrender.

**www.michaelo.org... I dare you to listen to Michael's testimony of gifting and calling.