"Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else." Galatians 6:4 (NLT)

My son had a great experience playing on a Christian competitive basketball league last year. He was asked to play in their "select" division. It was limited to a specific number of players. Each player brought his own skills, talents, and gifts to the league. Some were quick. Others had great agility, or good instincts for handling the ball. One of my son's gifts was that he was taller and bigger than most of the players.

His coach was excellent. He knew how to maximize each player's performance by being positive and motivating. He also recognized each player's strengths and helped them make the most of what they had to offer.

My son is a "gentle giant," so often the coach would encourage him to be more aggressive and remind him to use his size to his advantage. "Be big!" His coach would often yell. "Be big!" This meant he wanted my son to raise his hands higher, reach wider, and make the most of his gift of size. My son quickly caught on and began using the "be big" approach to do his best and improve as a player.

All of the boys did an outstanding job of bringing their gifts and talents to each game, recognizing the offerings they could give that made them unique. The players played with confidence, not comparing themselves or trying to be like the others. The coach was wise to make the most of each player. Together they were an incredible team!

I think God wants us to "be big" too. He has given each of us our own set of gifts, talents, and abilities that make us uniquely qualified to do the things He wills for us to do. He wants us to make the most of these things so that we can improve as His players and work together to form an incredible team for Him.

The next time you want to shrink away from something God puts before you or feel that you're not up for the task at hand, imagine God coaching you from the sidelines, calling your name and yelling, "Be big!" Then reach higher and wider to make the most of the gifts, talents, and attributes He gave you to use, and feel confident knowing you've done your best for Him, and the team.

Dear Lord, thank You for creating each of us with Your plans in mind, and for making each of us is special with our own unique ways to be part of Your team. Help us all to be winning players for Your glory. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

***

Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst

God’s Purpose for Every Woman by various P31 authors. Gen Editors Lysa TerKeurst and Rachel Olsen

Application Steps:

Recognize your importance to God despite challenges or circumstances you might face. Know that He has a place for each of us on His team – no try-outs required! Accept everything about you that is God-given as your personal gift set from Him and find ways to make the most of those things.

Reflections:

What things make me unique?

What do I do best? What do I enjoy?

What are my strengths? What are my weaknesses?

What weaknesses can I give to God to use for His glory?

Power Verses:

Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." (NIV)

2 Corinthians 12:9, "He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." (KJV)

Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (NKJV)

© 2009 by Renee Myers. All rights reserved.