“God’s Gifts for Me”
1 Peter 4:10-11
Victorianna Parenti
Chicago Central District
What was the most memorable gift you have ever received? We all like getting gifts, like on Christmas and birthdays, but the best gifts come from our Father in heaven. 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." These verses have been a real encouragement to me because during this time in my life I am trying to figure out how God wants me to use my gifts for his glory. This passage reveals that I have been given gifts to serve others, that I need to be a faithful steward of God’s gifts and graces, and that God will give me words and strength to accomplish his will.
Art is a God-given gift that I can use to serve others. I especially love to paint and draw. At one point, I did it because I enjoyed it, but now I have recognized that these gifts are meant to bless others. In order to share my talents, I give my artwork to people who may need to be encouraged or to those who need to be lifted up. I depict God’s beautiful creation (amazing animals or marvelous nature scenes) in greeting cards, wall hangings, and decorative rocks. This has been a way for me to spread the joy and love of God to the people around me.
Realization: the gift of art is God’s; I am only a steward of this gift! God uses art to minister to people's hearts and lives, and God wants to use me to make an impact in my church family and community. Art is worship, and I have incorporated speed paintings into some church gatherings. I have been able to share a form of God’s grace in our worship experience. I am still seeking how I can truly be a faithful steward of the gift of art. May people sense God’s peace, unfailing love, and his beauty throughout the works he inspires me to illustrate.
It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words, but sometimes God also wants to speak into someone's life using actual words. God gives us strength, but he also gives us words. Speaking in front of people is something I have always been nervous about, but last year I gave a short sermonet in front of my church. With God’s strength always with me, I have been trying to expand on this new gift and I have found that preaching is something I enjoy. Since then, I have given a few more sermonets, still using my artistic expressions, as a new way for me to serve others by explaining and teaching the Word and by giving God glory. When we have his grace in our lives in the form of our gifts, we will be able to do things we never thought we could and the strength he provides us will help us do so to the best of our abilities.
God has given me gifts unique to me and I am given those gifts to serve others as well as honor God. Also, when his grace is with me, I can experience his strength working in my life. Right now, as I will be graduating soon, I am listening for his guidance of how my gifts will all work together for a lifetime of honoring him. These verses have been a great reminder to me that if I focus on praising him, he will be honored and give me grace and strength so I can continue to pursue him while ministering to others. I am so excited to see where God will take me and how he will use me.