Use your gift well

"Each of you has been blessed with one of God's many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well." 1 Peter 4:10 CEV

Ricardo Benitez, 19, was born without femurs in his legs. But despite having a rare condition called femur hypoplasia that limits his mobility, Ricardo was training for his first 26.2 mile race, the Silo District Marathon in Waco scheduled for April 25 which was postponed due to the coronavirus. That won't stop him though. Ricardo plans to run the race on Saturday solo, estimating that it will take him at least nine hours to complete it. When asked what inspired him to attempt such a huge feat in spite of the difficulties, Ricardo said, “We all have abilities. I may not have the same mobility as someone, but I can still run. God gave me the ability to move, and I want to use it." And I have no doubt that Benitez will press on to the end and that his actions will encourage others facing disabilities to do the same, which is his ultimate goal. 

Wow! If you've never run a marathon before, let me tell you... it's not easy. It takes every bit of what a person has. But you know, this is the way we should use the gift each of us "has been blessed with" - to the absolute fullest extent we can, holding nothing back. Ricardo obviously has the gift of encouragement and will do whatever it takes to inspire others, especially those with disabilities, to do things they think are impossible. Not only that, he doesn't claim to have attained this ability on his own but gives God the glory He is due. Is this an example to follow or what? 

So whatever your gift may be, whether it be encouragement, prophecy, serving, mercy, wisdom, knowledge or another one of the many the Bible gives us, are you using it to the fullest extent "in the service of others?” I sure hope so my friend because when you and I use our "gift well,” we not only bring glory to God but show the love of Christ to the world. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for blessing each and every one of your believers with one of your wonderful gifts to be used to glorify You and to serve others. Help us to not only discover what our gift is but to use it to be a light in this dark world, to bring hope to the hopeless, to meet the needs of those in need, and to lead the lost to the foot of the Cross where they will be found. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Banner of Love - Luminate