Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind. (Ecclesiastes 4:6, NIV).
My spiritual gifts tend toward small and simple.
Simple words of encouragement.
Small acts of service.
But this world doesn’t often celebrate small and simple, and sometimes it’s tempting to reach for other people’s gifts instead.
Maybe you’ve thought it too:
“She knows everyone. She’s so outgoing. I’ll take a handful of that.”
“Her passion for teaching is inspiring. Maybe just a palmful.”
“Look how creative she is. I wish I had a little of that too.”
But when we pursue standards born from comparison, we begin to toil and “chase after the wind.” We overcommit. We become busy but not effective. And slowly, pieces of our lives begin slipping through the cracks.
Friend, God never asked us to become someone else.
There is only One we are called to strive to be like, and that is Jesus.
As we abide in Him, He grows the gifts He has already placed within us (John 15:1-5).
As we keep our eyes fixed on Him, He opens our eyes to the opportunities He uniquely prepared for us long ago (Ephesians 2:10).
So if you find yourself constantly reaching but still empty, toiling but never fulfilled, ask yourself who you are reaching for.
Find your tranquility in reaching for Jesus.
Only He can fill our hands to overflowing.
Until next time,
Shelby
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