Alan Smith - 07/28/06

WHAT DO WE USE THEM FOR?

There was a body builder who appeared on the Merv Griffin show a number of years ago. When he got on stage, the body builder stepped forward and flexed a series of well-defined muscles from chest to calf. The audience applauded.

Merv asked him, "What do you use all those muscles for?" Again, the muscular man flexed, and biceps and triceps sprouted to impressive proportions.

Merv persisted. He said, "But what do you use those muscles for?" And the body builder was bewildered. He didn't have an answer other than to display his well-developed frame.

I think we face the same temptation. God has blessed each of us with a host of talents and abilities. But they haven't been given to us simply so we can "show off" in front of others. And when we are asked the question, "What do you use your talents for?", I hope our response is not to flex our muscles and look confused. I hope we realize that all that we have and all that we are has been given to us for a purpose.

That purpose, according to I Peter 2:9, is to "proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light". Our purpose is, as Jesus defined his purpose in Luke 19:10, is "to seek and save that which was lost." All that God has blessed us with has been given to us as a tool so that we might "do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6:10).

So what do you use YOUR talents for?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

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