Our God is the God of more. And when it comes to lavishing gifts upon humanity, God has never been short of ideas, and His purpose for you is good, perfect, and filled with abundant life. As James 1:17 says, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow” (NASB).

When you think of your own life, what are the gifts that come to mind? Do you even believe that you are gifted? Gifted with heaven-sent, perfectly curated, irreplaceable, and unique gifts. Let me assure you—you are.

Perhaps there are some that seem like obvious gifts: ministry and spiritual gifts such as apostleship, evangelism, healing, and prophecy. God-breathed natural gifts such as singing or dancing, writing gifts or communication gifts can also be easy to pinpoint. But beyond some of these more obvious ones, let me also remind you that life itself is a gift, breath is a gift, friends are a gift, family is a gift. Do you see the people in your life as gifts? And did you know that He has put both people and talents in your life that are directly related to the plans and purposes He has for you? Perhaps you don’t feel like you can identify your own giftings. Maybe you’re holding back when it comes to some of the talents within you simply because you are afraid of what the future will look like. Or maybe someone has spoken poorly of you or downplayed the gifts in your hand.

As a pastor, I see it as a huge responsibility and an honor to steward the gifts within people’s lives. So allow me to pastor you for a moment…

You are gifted.

You are talented.

Your gifts are good and perfect.

And your gifts and talents are perfectly poised to enable you to fulfill the plans and purposes of God on your life.

Today, every time you think about one of God’s gifts to you, thank Him for it—and ask Him to help you invest it fruitfully for His kingdom.

James 1:2-18

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. 9 Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. 11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits. 12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.