Stewarding Our Gifts Well

This post is by Patty Lewis.

I have to remind myself and encourage you by saying that we should not mistake making goals, Reviewing & Previewing, and doing a Personal Inventory as a means of attaining perfection.  We don’t always realize it, but the tension is there.  The desire to do it right exactly or just not try at all.  Or, try, but choose only to see our failures.

Paul once said in Philippians 3:12-14 (New International Version)

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

God created us lovingly in His image.   He has gifted each of us uniquely and with great care.  As we look back over our lives, this past year and forward to the next, we should be gracious and full of hope as we take our personal inventories.  Each of us has gifts God has given us and designed us with.  They are gifts that have an eternal impact and it will last!  He fills us with His Spirit, gives us His strength and wisdom so that we can use them. 

When you start to look over the questions in the Personal Inventory, be full of joy.  We have a lot to look forward to no matter what season we find ourselves in.  There is much to be discovered about where you find yourself and what resources you have available for the coming year.  

Our gifts are special and should be stewarded well.   The way we are made can make us feel different from others.  We strive to be better.  Sometimes we find what drains us fills others up.  Or, our priorities don’t match up with our close friend’s priorities in this season.  Maybe we know we should spend more time at home, but others outside our home, even possibly at Church, will encourage us to serve somewhere outside our home.  Please, let me encourage you that your Personal Inventory is yours.  Lean into the Lord as you answer the questions honestly. Let Him guide you.  Be willing to be stretched. 

Our homes should be the first place we are tending to, especially if we have a family at home.  Our gifts are best stewarded by using them wisely in our homes.  The fruit grown in our home is the best fruit.  We can certainly see a world of opportunity to use our gifts outside our homes, that will always be an endless temptation.  It is important to be sure we are caring for our family at home well and often, especially for those of us with Husbands and child(ren) at home, that will be where our ministry, serving, discipling and evangelizing takes place.  Our homes are what makes up the Church.  For a lot of us, for most of this season of raising a family, serving at home will be all we can do and it is still right and good. 

I look forward to taking my own Personal Inventory and for fun, I think I might do a rough draft run down of the questions with a few close girlfriends.  It’s always encouraging to bounce around some ideas and get everyone thinking.  I hope and pray you enjoy your journey through your Personal Inventory this year.

 May The Lord bless you and keep you! 

Patty Lewis lives on the Space Coast of Florida with her Husband, Son and one cat, Bittums. She is a homeschool/dual enrollment Momma, loves having the goal of encouraging others by listening and speaking words of life. She enjoys reading, gardening, learning, exploring, Universal Studios, coffee (iced lattes really sweet), anything with her family and laughing really loud.

Photo by Jess Bailey on Unsplash