Use It Or Lose It
USE IT OR LOSE IT
For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away (Matthew 25: 29 New King James Version).
Use it or lose it. This is a phrase those of us who are familiar with HR benefits repeat often regarding certain types of healthcare reimbursement accounts at year end. It refers to making sure employees submit all receipts for covered medical reimbursement for the year by a specific date, or all the funds in their accounts will be forfeit. This can seem unfair, especially if we contributed to the account over the duration of the year, but depending on the company, it’s the way they do business.
Today’s particular Scripture has been resonating in my spirit for a couple of weeks now, but on a much different level than when I first read it years ago. Up until recently, I always interpreted this Scripture to mean things of a monetary or profitable nature, at the very least. But when the Lord spoke this to me, it was as the result of my questioning where I fit in. I know I have been given a myriad of different talents and gifts, some I use every day, some I used to use every day and some have not yet been revealed or developed in me yet. The Lord was speaking to me about the gifts I used to use every day and haven’t been.
Certain areas of ministry where I have served in the past are the areas where I am not serving now-yet. The passion I had for writing and ministering online had waned and my service in worship and prayer had stopped. At first, the Lord had asked me to sit at His feet instead of bustling around serving everywhere, while not taking time with Him, but when He released me to go back into service, I did not. I had gotten comfortable where I was, and the gifts and talents I had been given were not being used the way He designed them to be. So, I didn’t write very much, I stopped singing and sharing my gift, I drew back on intercession and bible study. Up until recently, I had felt stuck and not good enough to do what I had done before. I felt as though I had lost what the Lord had so brazenly blessed me with. So, one day, this Scripture jumped out at me and I’ve been pondering it ever since. Little by little, with Jesus holding my hand, I am regaining the confidence and ground I had given up. I have once again taken up my pen (or keyboard, depending on how you look at it!) I have begun to open my mouth and let Him speak and sing through me, and I have started to silence the lies of doubt and condemnation trying to gain footholds. He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much (Luke 16:10a).
Let’s pray: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for this new day, filled with new mercies and new wine! Oh, may we fill our cups with the wine of heaven, drinking deeply and satisfying ourselves from Your vine! Father, thank You for stirring up the gifts within, for keeping our feet on Your path, for gently correcting our courses so that we remain faithful. Father, we seek to know You more, may we sit awhile at Your feet, listening to Your plans for us. May we not become comfortable in our complacency and apathy, and may we use what You have given us so we don’t lose it. Oh, how we love You and Your Word, how we love to give You all honor and glory! We come before You today, praising Your Holy name! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Today’s Attitude of Worship: Here I am, Lord, send me! I have discovered that some of my waning passions were the result of offense, impatience and complacency, not just comfort. Look for areas in your walk with Christ where perhaps your giftings are in jeopardy of being lost if not used and pray for an exposure of the root cause.
Shalom,
Prudence