This week I wanted to share some of the lessons I have learned from my 70 pound Pup!

Whenever we buy a new toy for our dog, she gets SO excited! She eagerly takes her toy and runs to the opposite side of the house or yard and sits down. My husband and I will walk over take it from her to play with her, and she will not want to let it go. It is only after she has trusted us enough to let us take the toy from her, that we can play with her. Suddenly the ball is 10x more fun when it can be used in a game of fetch!

My dog’s response to new toys reminds me of how Christians sometimes act with the gifts God has blessed them with. We get so excited about our gifts and talents, but we aren’t willing to surrender our gifts back to God to let him use them for His Kingdom. Maybe God has blessed you with a great singing voice. It might be nice for your windshield to hear your pretty voice singing alone in the car, but how much more blessed would your church family be listening to your talented voice leading worship to our Almighty God on a Sunday morning? Maybe God has given you a talent for prayer. He loves listening to you talk with him day and night, but I am sure so many other people would be blessed by having you pray over them in times of need and times of rejoicing. Our gifts and talents don’t serve us much until we are willing to give them back to God and let Him use them for His Glory!

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” – 1 Peter 4:10-11

So, if you have a furry friend who gets protective with toys or struggles to return the ball in fetch, let that be a reminder to you that your gifts are best used when they are surrendered for God’s purposes.

Cover Photo by Njegos K on Unsplash

Photo in Article Courtesy of Cara Van Den Top