“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10

We all know that January means making resolutions. And it means breaking them, too.

Did you make New Year’s resolutions? Do you intend to keep them? There are two ways to look when you’re making goals: vertically and horizontally. Really, you should look both ways.

Look up to the One who is all power and authority, but also look out to the world for ways to serve others as much as yourself. God designed each of us to be uniquely equipped to do what He created us to do. He gave us all the talents and gifts we need to carry out His plan for our life on earth.

Indeed, we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139) and have been given everything we need to do His will. Are you wasting what God has entrusted to you?

Think of the ways you can serve God. Remember the LIFE acrostic….  Labor, Influence, Finance and Expertise. Everyone has something to use for service to God and to their community.

In this coming year, do what is right in God’s eyes, learn to think with compassion, and serve others. God knows better than we do what we will face in the year ahead. We need His courage and direction to know what is right and the commitment to do it, leaving the outcomes to Him, following wherever He leads, without worrying how things will turn out.

Just make one resolution for this coming year: to use the gifts He has given you to do the will He has for your life.

Dear God, You have given me so much and I have given You so little in return. Forgive me for being selfish and help me to use what You have given me for all that pleases You. Amen.

Take Action

Take inventory of the gifts God has given you and the material possessions He has entrusted to you. Are you using them to the utmost for His glory?