Tag Archives: abilities

Created to Create

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My friend Samantha creates the most beautiful products using seashells as her medium. I first discovered her work when she gave me a cross for Easter. I started following her on social media and get to see all her creations at samanthaseashells. She just made my father in law a gorgeous wind chime set. It’s absolutely beautiful. She has an eye for beauty and detail, and it shines through in her work.

Creating Like Our Creator

Whenever I see somebody doing something like this, it inspires me so much. I love it when men and women use the gifts and abilities God has given them to create something beautiful. The sky is the limit when we use what God has given us to create something beautiful or something that can help others.

I think we sometimes forget that God gave us abilities, talents, and gifts to create, in the same way our Creator creates. We forget that our God paints the sky every morning and evening in brilliant hues of color. We forget that He gave us so many different flowers, plants, trees, and views to enjoy. From the majestic Rocky Mountains, to the sands of the beach of the Jersey shore, to the cacti and red dirt of Arizona, our God has created so much beauty just for us to enjoy. Why wouldn’t He take joy in the things we create as well?

Made in His Image

God is the ultimate Creator, and He gives us the ability to follow in His footsteps and create something beautiful. He is our Creator, and He created us in His own image. That means He has given us the ability to create.

So God created human beings in his own image.
    In the image of God he created them;
    male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:27 NLT

Sharing Beauty with Others

We get to partake in God’s beauty every time we create something. We get to show the goodness of our Creator when we create something and share that beauty with others. It may be a homemade meal that you labor over. You get to share it with your family and friends, and you feel so fulfilled. It may be something you create–a painting, a craft, a flower arrangement, a candle–that you share with others. Maybe it’s something you write– a book, a poem, a letter.

We all have different gifts and abilities and talents. I can barely crochet a single stitch chain without losing my mind, and yet my daughter can create and craft animals that are so adorable. MaddieKCrochet

One of my friends at church is a whiz at making flower arrangements and more importantly, keeping them alive. At our recent ladies’ event, she spent the entire time helping each lady make her flower arrangement look perfect. We all got to benefit from her skills.

Another friend of mine is an amazing baker. She makes all sorts of desserts and treats that are Pinterest worthy. She sells them out of her home and has made a business with her baked goods. And yet, almost every Sunday, she brings a treat to church. We get to partake in her talents and abilities.

Using Your Gifting to Bless Others

Sometimes, we forget that God gave us something to work with. Maybe it’s been a while since you used those abilities to create something beautiful. The talent could be buried; maybe you don’t even know you have the ability yet. For some of us, it takes a lot longer to develop a skill. It took me until I was in my thirties to realize I love writing. It’s taken me several years to hone that craft, and I’m still working at it. But now, I can see the fruit of my labors and of the gifting God has given me. I don’t know what gifting God has given you, but I know you have something. All of us have something God has gifted us with that we can use to bless others.

What’s really amazing is when the gifts God has given you can be used to make an income. That’s when it really comes together! What gifts has God given you that you can use to bless others?

More Encouragement

If you love this topic and love the idea of making an income from home, check out Crytal Paine’s book, Money Making Mom or Called to Create by Jordan Raynor. I love both of those books. You can also check out my post, Doing Something Great with God.

What’s in Your Hand?

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What’s in your hand that God can use?

Often, I talk to women who want to do something more with their lives. They feel like God wants them to do something, but they are unsure of what. One of the simplest ways to answer that question is to look at your gifts, talents, abilities, and passions. What do you already do or have that God could use? A good example of this is Moses.

What was in Moses’ Hand?

What did Moses have in his hand? A rod. A simple tool, something he used every day. It wasn’t extraordinary, and there was nothing special about it. Yet, in Moses’ hand, God used it to accomplish his purpose and do something amazing.

Moses objected, “They won’t trust me. They won’t listen to a word I say. They’re going to say, ‘God? Appear to him?

Hardly!’” So God said, “What’s that in your hand?”

“A staff.”

Exodus 4:1,2 MSG

God used Moses and his staff time and time again to show God’s power. When Moses threw it on the ground, it became a serpent. When he held the rod over the Nile River, the river turned to blood. Moses used the staff to bring frogs out of the river, lice from the ground, hail from heaven, and locusts. When he held it over the Red Sea, the waters parted before the children of Israel and they walked across on dry land. In Moses’ hand, his rod was a simple tool. However, when God touched it it became an incredible conduit of power.

What’s in Your Hand?

What do you have in your hand that God can use to do something great? To you, it may seem simple; but in God’s hand, it becomes something incredible. Maybe think of it this way: What do you have in your hand that God has given you that you can use to help make someone’s life easier? What’s in your hand that you can use to encourage somebody else? It could be a…

  • a pen
  • a paintbrush
  • a spatula
  • a calculator
  • an instrument
  • a ruler
  • a handbook
  • a microscope
  • a phone
  • an espresso machine
  • a volleyball
  • a camera
  • a paint roller
  • a sewing machine
  • a sketchbook
  • a Bible
  • a vase
  • a duster
  • a laptop
  • a printer
  • a stethoscope
  • a bridle
  • a journal

Using Your Own Unique Gifting

God works within our personality, abilities, and talents. He’s not going to ask you to travel to a foreign country and help care for kids with medical needs if you’re a photographer. He’s going to use someone who is trained in the medical field.

My fantasy books

I write books, both Christian inspirational and fantasy fiction. My friend Keya makes candles. Aiesha, one of my friends, makes beauty products. My sister teaches piano, and my sister-in-law manages a Starbucks store. Kelley, another of my friends, runs a pony camp each summer for kids. My friend Jen manages a day care. Each of these women are so vastly different and yet each one of them is using their natural gifting, talents, and abilities to accomplish what God has for them.

My friend Keya’s candles

How do you get ready for God to use you?

  1. Be willing to try. You can do anything if you’re at least willing to try. Your first attempt may not be successful; maybe your second and third attempt won’t be either. But you have to be willing to try. God can redirect you as you go.
  2. Be ready to start. Pulling the trigger is the hardest step. Once God shows you what to do, go for it. Don’t let excuses stop you from moving forward.
  3. Don’t quit. It may not be successful right away, but that’s okay. As long as you don’t quit, God can use you. There is only one guarantee: If you quit, you will not get to see what God could have done and accomplished through you.

What’s in your hand today that God wants to use to make a difference in this world?

For More Encouragement

For more encouragement, read my post Six Steps to Finding God’s Purpose for Your Life.