THE GIFT I DIDN'T WANT
Micah Smith
Today's Scripture: "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 4:10-11, ESV
Theme: Whatever gift you have, use it to serve others by God's power and Spirit, giving Him the glory.
THE BIRTHDAY DISAPPOINTMENT
I distinctly remember my 16th birthday. I was ready – driving hours completed, driver's ed passed, test scheduled. I was certain my parents were getting me a car, and I was playing it cool, ready to act surprised while maintaining that teenage "Yeah, I knew it" vibe. After dinner, they said we were going to pick out my present. Pick it out? YOU MEAN I GET TO CHOOSE A CAR!?!! As we drove near the mall surrounded by car dealerships, the excitement was building. Then my parents pulled into an electronics store.
Clearly they were picking something up before getting my car, right? Nope. "Surprise! We're getting you a computer for your birthday!" Mixed emotions doesn't begin to cover it. Don’t get me wrong. I was grateful to be getting a really nice gift, but my (incorrect and naive) hopes thought it should have wheels. I hadn't asked for a computer. I couldn't drive a computer to school. I knew very little about computers. That day, I came home with a gigantic desktop and a lot to learn.
THE UNEXPECTED BLESSING
Here's what's interesting: the more I used that computer, the more I learned. A friend helped me upgrade the memory and video card for gaming. I taught myself web design and how to fix the computer when it would inevitably break. That frustrating birthday gift has given me way more mileage (pun completely intended) than a car ever would have. I've now worked in software my entire career. I've built, torn down, and rebuilt countless computers. I've used this knowledge to serve others – building a church's website, fixing neighbors' virus-infected machines, troubleshooting printers that refuse to cooperate.
Peter reminds us that we're stewards of God's varied grace. Sometimes God gives us gifts we didn't ask for, gifts that feel like burdens at first. But He gives them with purpose – not for our glory, but so we can serve others and glorify Him. That computer wasn't just about my career; it was about equipping me to help others. The skills felt burdensome when things broke and I had no ChatGPT to bail me out, but God was preparing me for service I couldn't yet imagine.
Make it Personal: What gift has God given you that wasn’t what you wanted or expected? Maybe it's a difficult experience that gave you empathy, a skill you stumbled into, or even a personality trait you once considered a weakness. Are you a good listener? Have you walked through hardship that could provide wisdom to others? Can you fix cars, cook meals, manage budgets, or make people laugh? Whatever gift you have – wanted or unwanted, obvious or hidden – God gave it for a purpose: to serve others and bring Him glory.
Pray: Father, thank You for the gifts You've given me, even the ones I didn't ask for or didn't initially appreciate. Help me see how You've equipped me to serve others. Give me Your strength to use these gifts not for my own glory, but to point others to You. Show me opportunities this week to steward what You've entrusted to me for the benefit of Your kingdom. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Read: James 1:17, Romans 12:6-8
Weekly Memory Verse: “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6, ESV