Here, Jesus told me to give this to you...

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.

1 Peter 4:10-11 NIV

I think a word we often overlook is "others". Our gifts are means by which we serve others, or serve Christ by serving others. Whatever we do we are doing that gift (administering it) to others, in Jesus' Name. Some people are naturally "there you are" people while others are "here I am" people. If you are a "there you are" person the issue won't normally be able putting others first, you just may struggle with pseudo - humility. You know, the I'm not good enough stuff. In Christ, you are. 

If you are a "here I am" person the issues will probably center around you and thoughts of people noticing your selfless, humble service to Christ and others. It's not about you, it's about Christ.

We forget that God gave us each gifts and our responsibility is to give those gifts to others saying, "Here, Jesus told me to give this to you." 

Are You Equipped?

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,  equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV

Whenever my son and I go on a camping trip with his Scout troop there is a certain ritual that happens. The fathers at one point or another show off their new gadgets. (We've all been banned from REI by our wives.) Maybe it's a very light weight camp chair, or a bio-light stove that runs on scrap pieces of wood and will recharge your electronic device. I'll admit that sometimes I get something just for the "ohh, cool" factor, but, most of the time they are things we need. 

What's awesome is that Christ, our great Shepherd equips us with everything good for doing his will. And he works in us what is pleasing to him. What do you need? Now, if you have ever been to REI you know how many different types of backpacks, sleeping bags, tents and pretty much anything you can imagine or should have imagined for outdoor activities. Well, in Christ, his divine power, we are given everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). The amount of faith he gives each of us, the patience, and the abilities may be different, but, he gives us what we need. 

When I go to get something for my son, I ask him what he wants, but, I keep in mind what he needs to be safe and warm. God, whose love is unfathomable, listens to our prayers, but, knows better than us what we need to be equiped and pleasing to him. He will equip us and work in us by his power that raised Jesus from the dead.