"What Makes You You"?, Part 4

 

“What Makes You You?”

(Please read the above article beforehand.)

“Your hands shaped me and made me….” (Job 10:8, emphasis added).

Part 4: Your Abilities

“Don’t Sell Yourself Short”

 

Simply stated, an ability is something one is capable of doing. Those who study human behavior have concluded that the average person has 500-700 such skills. Some are commonplace (e.g. driving, tying one’s shoes, reading, writing) while others could be described as extraordinary (e.g. hitting a baseball 450 feet, rebuilding a car engine, playing a piano concerto). We all have a unique combination of talents which can contribute to God’s work as they come from Him (“God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well.”—Romans 12:6, NLT) so none of us can say we have nothing to offer.

One of the great (and overlooked) examples of God-given skills in Scripture is the account of Bezalel and Oholiab in Exodus 35:30-36:3. These are the two men God chose and equipped to build the tabernacle according to His instructions. We’re told God “…filled (Bezalel)…with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts….” (Exodus 35:31) and “…gave both him and Oholiab…the ability to teach others.” (Verse 34). With these abilities and skills they completed their God-assigned task and “Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the Lord had commanded. So Moses blessed them.” (Exodus 39:43).

When God calls us as His people to a task for which He has prepared us we must understand His provision, purpose and plan for their use (“…{He will} equip you with everything good for doing His will  ….”—Hebrews 13:21). Once we’ve determined what we can do (remember no one can do everything but we all can do something) we’re to dedicate, develop and discharge them to His glory. And He will hold us accountable if we fail to do so (“Much is required from those to whom much is given….”—Luke 12:48, NKJV).

We must be careful, however, to avoid the extremes of pride and self-depreciation. Paul cautions his readers, “Don’t cherish exaggerated ideas of yourself or your importance….” (Romans 12:3, PH) and saw himself as “…the least of the apostles….” (1 Corinthians 15:9, NASB) but recognized “…By the grace of God I am what I am….” (1 Corinthians 15:10), a truth in which we all can rejoice. As a small boy is reported to have said, “God don’t make (or give) no junk!” God doesn’t sell us short—and neither should we! To adapt a principle from Jesus’ parable in Luke 19:13: “Put (your abilities) to work until I come back.”

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan