“And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so” (Genesis 1:11, emphasis added).
Our God is a God of both order and creativity. Right from the beginning, He created plants for the benefit of humans—plants that would bear fruit according to their own kind. As people, we, too, are created by God with special gifts and talents meant to benefit those around us.
I am speaking here not of the fruits of the Spirit but of spiritual gifts—of the unique talents, passions, and strengths bestowed upon us by the Creator. Gifts that when offered back to God can be used to bless those around us. And, Friends, in the garden of life, I am much more of a wild berry than an exotic tree!
As the owner of a small, simple soul, I sometimes find myself trying to grow gifts that are bigger, brighter, or flashier than the ones I have been given. But God has been reminding me that we serve best when we serve “according to [our] kind.”
So what if, this year, we stopped comparing our gifts to others?
What if we realized that our gifts and talents and passions are uniquely ours, given to us by the Creator of the universe itself?
If you have ever picked a strawberry growing wild, you know that the tiny fruit, warm from the sun, is one of life’s little treasures. So let’s not diminish the gifts God has given us. Small and simple doesn’t mean it’s not sweet.
Until next time,
Shelby
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