Tuesday, July 29, 2008

A Gift To Return

It's a busy week. I don't have time to post or write at all. But as I serve at Fine Arts Day Camp all week long at my church, I am reminding myself of the same message I am telling to the kids. Our gifts must not be buried. Our talents must be used. But all for His glory. All for His name. All for His purposes. It's so easy to get wrapped up in the show and the production, that we can lose our focus. I almost lost mine today. Then I was reminded of a poem I wrote almost exactly one year ago...for the same camp. I am praying this poem He wrote on my heart for me, for the other leaders, directors and teachers, and especially for the kids of Bent Tree Bible Fellowship's Fine Arts Day Camp 2008:

A Gift To Return
By LauraLee Shaw

Your life is precious to our Lord,
“It is very good,” He exclaimed.
Your talent is a gift from Him,
So use it as one unashamed!

Whatever you do with your talent~
Don’t compare, looking around,
or
You’ll find yourself on sinking ground.

Because the Fact is:

Your talent is needed in this world.
It can make a difference, you know,
For when you use it with His strength,
HE is the star of the show.

Whenever you shine with your talent~
It’s by the power of the Spirit,
and
He is the One who is able to steer it.

Because the Truth is:

“…you have received a gift in order to serve others. You should use it faithfully. Then in all things God will be praised through Jesus Christ.
Give Him the glory and the power
for ever and ever. Amen.”

1 Peter 4:9b,11b


Father God, I give You this new day of using my time, my talents and my spiritual gifts for Your glory. May I be small in my own eyes, and show You off HUGE in the eyes of others. I give You all the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

10 friends shared a comment:

Kim @ Homesteader's Heart said...

Boy that's something that ALL of us need to remember. I hope the rest of your week continues to go well. Have fun with it!
Blessings my friend.
Kim
We've missed you!

jhunnelle said...

hi, your site is great can i link this in my site? oh another thing can I use your poem in our sunday school?

I'll be teaching about spiritual gifts, i just thought of reading this to our students after the class.

Blessings
Jhunnelle

Laury said...

What a great poem. Thank you for sharing. I'm praying the rest of the week goes really well. What a commitment. Wow! I'm sure all who work with you are being blessed and I hope you are blessed, too. Miss you so much!

lori said...

That was wonderful...we can get so consumed that we miss the focus....
Good LUCK this week...prayers that it blesses and is a blessing for all involved!!
peace,
lori

Patty Wysong said...

((Laura))
Keep shining and sharing the talent God has richly blessed you with!

Praying for you a whole lot this week!
Huggles!

Joanne Sher said...

Praying you through, sweetie - and thank you SO much for sharing that poem, and the wonderful message we ALL need to hear.

Tracy said...

What a great poem and reminder. Thank you for continuing to share your wisdom with us. I sincerely hope the rest of your week at camp goes well. Blessings to you, my friend!

Lance said...

What a wonderful poem!
Stay well, my friend.
Blessings,
Lance
www.lancessoulsearching.com

Alene said...

Thank you so much. Today I am questioning my talent and here I find your more encouraging thoughts. The poem is awesome! Blessings.

IJ Hanna Lucky said...

You are so blessed lauralee, so many great points love this . . . Whenever you shine with your talent~
It’s by the power of the Spirit,
and
He is the One who is able to steer it.

Godbless