One of my favorite
contemporary writers is a dear friend who is presently not writing, having been
reassigned by his company to editorial duties. He recently wrote an article for a
magazine, however, and my friend obviously retains the gift God bestowed upon
him for penning words that reach deep into the heart.
“My tongue is the pen of
a ready writer” (Psalm
45:1).
Sometimes in life, no venue
seems to exist for using obviously God-given abilities. We may feel ourselves placed upon the
shelf, as it were, with gifts still present, but apparently wasted. We know better than to force the issue
by attempting to artificially create our own opportunities. Nevertheless, the question nags and
perhaps even at times depresses.
“Why did God give me these gifts if He doesn’t intend for me to use
them?”
“All the saints salute
you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's
household” (Philippians 4:22).
The Apostle Paul’s
letter to the Philippians closes with a not so veiled affirmation that he had
pillaged “Caesar’s household” for the Lord Jesus Christ. Rather than viewing himself as on the
shelf when cast into prison, Paul recognized that lost opportunities to lead
people to Christ in Asia Minor provided opportunity to do the same in the prison
of Rome. As Frances often says,
Paul “bloomed where he was planted.”
The friend I mentioned
understands this truth and, like Paul,
presently blooms where he is planted. Rather than mourn over lost opportunity,
he views his editorial calling as God’s way for him at this particular hour in
life. I have little doubt he will
again write regularly at some point in the future. Rather than pine for that day,
however, my friend recognizes the truth that this day provides opportunity for
the believer’s most important gifting and calling: “Whatsoever ye do, do all to
the glory of God” (I Corinthians 10:31).
This attitude and perspective blesses the writers he edits, and more
importantly, their readers benefit from his determination to bloom in faith
rather than wilt in sorrow.
Whether or not we find
ourselves in the garden that seems most appropriate for our particular gifts,
the joy of our hearts and the blessing of others result from our determination
to trust and submit ourselves unto the God whose “way is perfect” (II Samuel
22:31). We close with the prophet’s
assurance that our Lord can plant gardens where no vine, no branch, and no
flower seems possible…
“The desert shall rejoice, and
blossom as the rose.”
(Isaiah 35:1)
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