Your gift is just the beginning

We all want to be known for something. It’s part of our DNA.

In fact God has granted all of us with unique gifts and talents.

1 Peter 4:10-11 says

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

But once you’ve identified your gift, that’s where the hard part begins.

Traditional thinking would tell you that once you’ve found your gift you should start marketing it to the world and begin profiting from whatever avenues are available.

But God doesn’t want us to show off our gift to the world before we are ready.

Simply having the ability to do something doesn’t mean you’re ready to do it at that moment.

Take David for example, he was anointed as King of Israel at 17 years old in 1 Samuel 16:13.

So Samuel took the horn of oil, anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the Lord took control of David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

However, he didn’t actually didn’t reign over all of Israel until he was 37 years old as stated in 2 Samuel 5:4-5.

David was 30 years old when he began his reign; he reigned 40 years. 5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned 33 years over all Israel and Judah.

So why would God wait 20 years to put David in a place he had specifically called him to?

God says it best in Isaiah 46:10

I distinguish the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come, saying: ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.

Over the 20 year period God developed David’s many talents as a shepherd, warrior, musician, and statesman so that he would be fit to rule over the Kingdom in a way that glorified God.

David faced persecution from enemies both internal and external and learned how to resolve conflicts which would later aid him in his strategy as a military commander as well as showing compassion to his subjects as a ruler.

God will show us our final destination based on our gift but the time table to where we reach that anointed place is at His discretion, and His alone.

So how will you know when your gift and anointing are in the right place where you can use them?

There’s not an easy answer to this one but here are a few suggestions.

First, make sure you’re in a community of Godly men.

Proverbs 11:14 says

Without guidance, people fall, but with many counselors there is deliverance.

Second, make sure you’re not comparing yourself to anyone else.

Setting artificial deadlines and timelines based on another persons calling provides no benefit to you.

Ask God to give you clarity on your unique position.

James 1:5-8 states:

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

Lastly, enjoy where you are right now.

The process you are going through is part of your unique journey to not only discover all the wonderful things God is doing through you, but also the ability to discover the love of our Great God.

As Paul states in Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.