Orange Moon "Aptitude Or Achievement

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

 

   "Aptitude or Achievement"

 

    We all do things for which we seem to have natural ability or talent.  We also do things that require diligent effort to learn and perform.  Either way, the source of our doings originates in God.

 

   "O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his step" (Jeremiah 10:23).

 

   We do well to frequently remind ourselves that natural aptitude originates in supernatural bestowal.  According to His purposes, our Heavenly Father gives capabilities that easily flow in our minds and hands.  Such gifts are all the more blessed when recognized as the handiwork of God.  However, they can also tempt us.  How easily we forget that the things that come naturally to us first came supernaturally to us as our Father's gift.

 

    Conversely, we all have to work at many things to capability.  Determination, discipline, and sacrifice pave the path for many journeys of accomplishment.  Again, when we venture with our Lord in these efforts, the realization of His guidance and enabling to learn greatly blesses us with His involved presence.  However, temptation also awaits us when our triumph of ability results from much training.  We may focus more on our sacrifices and efforts than on God's enabling us to do the things necessary to succeed.

 

    Whether by aptitude or application, we must realize how dependent we are on the Creator and Sustainer of our being.  Our ways are not in ourselves.  We do not direct our steps.  We live by the power of Another.  Indeed, even those who deny God's existence and use His gifts for wicked purposes nevertheless ply their wayward trade by misusing their Maker's bestowals.  For those who do realize our dependence, both natural abilities and hard earned achievements lead us to the same grateful realization of God's faithful provision and our utter need…

 

"In Him we live and move and have our being."

(Acts 17:28)

"Without Me, ye can do nothing."

(John 15:5)

 

Weekly Memory Verse 

    Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?  Then said I, Here am I, send me.

(Isaiah 6:8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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