What have you filled your pockets with?

You’ve been given gifts to serve others. It may seem like a stretch for you to recognize you already have gifts. Accept it, admit it, embrace it and thank God for the gifts that are in you. 

The Bible reveals the secret purpose of your gifts and talents: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10, NIV) 

Do you use your gifts to serve others? You have so much to offer. It may seem like you’re outnumbered, abandoned or lost, but God has already poured so much into you.

My kids and grandkids know I always have a pocketful of cash in my left pocket. It’s not thousands of dollars—maybe forty or fifty dollars. It’s not uncommon for them to reach in to purchase something at the coffee shop at our church. In my right pocket, I have mints to keep my throat lubricated while I teach. After church, my grandchildren surround me and grab a few mints each. 

To tell you the truth, my pockets are full for them. I love to be a resource and a candy dispenser for them. I’m here to serve. I think I learned that from my grandmother and dad. Grandma was a statuesque French Canadian woman with beautiful grey hair. She was always quite serious, but she had a jar of candies in the living room I could have when I wanted. Food was her love language for sure. My dad was very stern, but he always offered me a mint when I was with him. I have fond memories of the little things I could count on.

What have you filled your pockets with? It’s so common for all of us to focus on our lack and not our gifts. Insecurity can blind us to our God-given gifts and talents. I’ve discovered it’s only through giving that I find wealth, only by serving that I find healing and only by focusing on others that I find myself and God.

Be the one who serves and loves others, and you’ll find the secret of true happiness. You will discover “the words the Lord Jesus himself said; ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35, NIV) 

You’re truly a miracle. 

Paul Marc Goulet

P.S. The texts of this reading come from the daily email A Miracle Every Day . If you want to receive an email every day, I invite you to subscribe to A Miracle Every Day. By subscribing, you will receive an E-book!