Meditations from Zion

John 3:27
… John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven….”

There are many gifts that we receive from heaven…. that is, from God. These are our natural gifts. And it is with these “gifts” that we are challenged to create within our world.

So often, we look outside ourselves and say, “If only I had more money” or “If only I was prettier” or “If only I could sing like that [small tribute the American Idol finale, which I didn’t even watch ;-)]” … then we could accomplish this or that. But the truth is, we have everything we need already.

In the same spirit as the metaphor about the church being like a “body” (I Cor 12:14-16), where the hand and foot have different functions, so it is with our natural gifts. Each of us is gifted in particular ways to contribute to the world. Each of us is given raw materials to work with. Each of us can work with what we have been given.

I think I have spent a good deal of my life chasing after other people’s gifts, hoping those gifts would be my ticket to happiness or contentment … well, I should be honest, what I’ve really wanted the most has been fame! That’s embarrassing to say.

It’s only in recent years that I have started letting go of this “temptation” and started nurturing the gifts I already have: speaking, writing, and connecting the dots for others. I am the energizer bunny. Each day is becoming more and more of an adventure. I’m curious how these gifts will manifest today. I give thanks.