Gifts
Each of us has certain talents, skills and abilities. Those ‘gifts' are God-given. We might never know the real purpose of these gifts and in some cases may never utilize them for one reason or another.
If we are really lucky, we are able to put those gifts to good use. Maybe even to become famous for our use of them. Or not!
No matter how adept we might become with our gifts or how self-sufficient we think we are, it is really important to recognize the gifts that we do NOT have.
No one has all the knowledge or skills or abilities that we need to get through life. We have to rely on others to provide certain products we can't make or foods we eat. We aren't all investors, contractors, mechanics, salesmen, writers, musicians, etc..
We have become arrogant about our personal well-being and have deluded ourselves into believing that we alone are responsible for our successes. It does not occur to us that we could not have done it alone.
To be sure, there are those of us who use the people around us as rungs on the ladder of success. We quickly step on them as we go up and then forget about them. Until we meet them again on our way back down.
We drive by those less fortunate than us who are needy or homeless. We arrogantly say that it is their choice, like they want to be in that situation. It doesn't occur to us that, except for some luck and, maybe good advice, we could be in their position. It could be that if those folks had the same opportunities or good advice that you had, they might be driving by seeing you in their position.
Don't be arrogant about who you are or where you are. Despite your protestations to the contrary, you did NOT get there by yourself.
We are all God's children. That means that the richest and the poorest of us are brothers and sisters. None of us make the right decisions all the time. Some of us are better able to make better decisions. That was God's intention. What He is really looking for is to see how we treat those who are among the less able.
One day we will all have to explain why we did, or didn't, do something to help our brothers and sisters.
How do you suppose you will do with that question?
