Giftedness

Greetings Internet Campus,

Romans 12: 3-5
3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

When I first got married, I thought I would be the one in the relationship doing it all. I was going to earn the money, do the bills, clean the house, take care of our future children, excel at my job, and keep our relationships running smoothly. I would let my wife sit on the pedestal that I had built for her in my mind....just sit there looking beautiful...

Then I figured out what we are going to briefly talk about today...my wife has skills. Lots of them. Believe it or not, she is actually better than I am at stuff (sarcasm intended). God has really given her abilities and talents that are not only better than mine but are used far more effectively. She is gifted at stuff.

My choices were limited....totally take over and tell her that I was going to do it all...do nothing and make her do it all...or figure out what we were both best at and do those things. So many couples can't figure this out. The husband is handling the money because he is "supposed to" and the wife takes care of the kids because that's a "woman's job" This simply isn't true. Positions of responsibility are no longer bound by gender or tradition. They should be established by giftedness and trust.

Figure out what your husband does well...and let him do it! Does he like to cook? Is he great with the car? Is he the organizer type? How about the wife? Is she amazing with technology? Does she handle discipline for the children well? Does she handle money like a pro? Figure this stuff out early in your marriage...be honest in your evaluation of giftedness. Just because you think you are good at something does not necessarily mean that you are...or that you are gifted in that area. If your house is a mess and your checks bounce...you are probably not gifted in the areas of organization and finances...no matter what you might think of yourself.

Spend some time this week talking about your gifts...then figure out ways to use them in your marriage. Don't be tied down by stereotype or tradition...your relationship will benefit. Finding your gifts and utilizing them is your key to a long and happy marriage.

See you tomorrow,
Pastor Brian