How to Make the Most of my Abilities

In Luke 12:43 I read, “When the master comes and finds the servant doing his work, the servant will be blessed.” (NCV)

I have unused abilities and at this point I’m still figuring out what they are. They may even be abilities I’ve abandoned or ignored because of life circumstances.

God gave me those abilities for a reason: He wants me to use them to serve him and others! There are three ways I can start engaging my abilities so that they are being used for good and for God’s glory.

1. Estimate my abilities by doing an assessment of them. What am I good at? Make a list. Know my strengths and weaknesses. Consider the capabilities God has given me. If I have trouble identifying my abilities, ask someone close to me for help!

2. Dedicate my abilities. “Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him” (Romans 12:1 GNT). Tell God, “You gave me these abilities. Now I’m going to give them back to you. I want to use them for the purpose for which you gave them to me.”

3. Cultivate my abilities through practice, improvement, sharpening, and development. Any ability God has given me can be improved with use. Ecclesiastes 10:10 says, “If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success” (NIV).

I get skill by practicing. I sharpen my ax and work smarter, not harder. Sharpening my abilities, my aptitudes, and my skills. It is a spiritual responsibility.

God has invested enormously in me. First, he created me. Second, he shaped me with spiritual gifts and a unique personality. Then, he sent Jesus to die for me.

God has made an incredible investment in my life! And he expects a return on the investment. He’s going to ask me one day, “What did you do with what you were given? How did you use your abilities to honor me, to serve others, to make a living, and to be an example?”

Jesus says, “When the master comes and finds the servant doing his work, the servant will be blessed” (Luke 12:43 NCV).

God wants to bless my life! When God looks at me, he wants to see me using my abilities in the ways he intended so that I will experience his blessing.

In summary, when the master comes and finds me doing his work, I will be blessed. I have unused abilities and at this point I’m still figuring out what they are. God gave me those abilities for a reason: He wants me to use them to serve him and others! There are three ways I can start engaging my abilities: First, estimate my abilities by doing an assessment of them. What am I good at? Make a list. Know my strengths and weaknesses. Secondly, dedicate my abilities by offering myself as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. Tell God, You gave me these abilities. Now I’m going to give them back to you and use them for the purpose for which you gave them to me. Lastly, cultivate my abilities. Any ability God has given me can be improved with use. I get skill by practicing. I sharpen my ax and work smarter, not harder. God has invested enormously in me. He expects a return on the investment. He’s going to ask me one day, “What did you do with what you were given? How did you use your abilities to honor me, to serve others, to make a living, and to be an example?” God wants to bless my life! He wants to see me using my abilities in the ways he intended so that I will experience his blessing.

Jesus promises a reward for those who have been faithful to the Master. While I sometimes experience immediate and material rewards for my obedience to God, this is not always the case. If so, I would be tempted to boast about my achievements and only do good for what I get. Jesus said that if I look for rewards now, I will lose them later. My heavenly rewards will be the more accurate reflection of what I have done on earth, and they will be far greater than I can imagine. 

Father, I need you. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can believe in, have faith and to trust you in everything including being the authority for my life, my self-worth and my future. You have my best interests in mind. Help me to embrace the way you’ve made, gifted and given me a passion for. I want to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me. I ask you for wisdom and guidance in this and for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, my preparation for a future job role and for leading a small group. I pray these things through you Son Jesus’ name, Amen.