I recently came across a scripture that encouraged me to remember that God has given us a gift – “I now remind you to stir into flame the gift of God which is within you…” 2 Timothy 1:6. This encourages us to put to use the gift, talent, or ability God has given us. Muscles will atrophy if not used. Talents not practiced waste away. A car will rust out quicker by sitting than when driven. The gifts given to us are to be used in God’s service. Each of us as United Methodist Women has gifts – some many, some few, but they are all Godgiven and we need to be using them.
Looking at this from the opposite point of view, we shouldn’t be someone we are not. Our gifts make us unique. When we stand before God will he ask, “Did you use the gifts I entrusted to you to lead others to follow me?”
Recently I was privileged to attend the Spiritual Growth Retreat at Kavanaugh. Even though the scheduled leader was unable to attend, others used their gifts to lead us in a spiritually refreshing retreat. When we stop to think about all the gifts the Kentucky Conference United Methodist Women bring to the table, it is awesome. Each of the twelve districts have exceptional leadership gifts they bring to their respective districts and each local unit has exceptional leadership that “stirs the flame of God” in their respective units.
Many of you have the gift of leadership in your respective district or unit. A leader is one who goes ahead of the followers to clear away the obstacles and make it easier for others to follow. A leader is one who dreams of ways to use their gifts. Ladies, I encourage you to dream big! Dwight L. Moody once scribbled in the margin of his Bible adjacent to the account of Jesus feeding the five thousand, “If God is your partner, make no little plans.” United Methodist Women are committed to spreading the gospel through being in mission to women, children and youth around the world. Our use of our talents and gifts has enabled us to engage in mission in more than 100 mission institutions in the United States, and programs and projects in more than 80 countries around the world. The focus in every place is the life of every woman and child.
I encourage each of you to “stir the flame” by attending the School of Christian Mission on July 6-19, 2009 at Lindsey Wilson College. What better way could you find to learn how to use your gifts and talents? The studies are timely, soul searching and interesting. District officer training will also be held on Saturday, July 18. Come, share what your gifts and talents have been doing in your district and learn new ways of “stirring the flame!”
When you and I take the lead and use our “gift,” we may not win a Congressional Medal of Honor, but we will hear the applause of Heaven and see women, children and youth come into the kingdom because we dared to use our gifts, abilities and talents that God gave us.
Blessings, Mary Bertram
