In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
OK, here we go. What really irritates you? Are you irritated about something even right now? What is it about your current circumstance that gets under your skin?
As an example, let’s consider your church…
Geez, we are people who complain about our churches aren’t we? Even if it’s the very church we choose to attend week after week. I’ll bet the list of things that irritate you about your church is longer than the things you love about it. But even if there is just one thing that gets you ranting, here’s a clue for you:
YOU’VE FOUND YOUR GIFTING. CONGRATULATIONS!
A few weeks ago I heard a sermon by Tobias Teichen. He mentioned this idea in a message he was sharing about finding your spiritual gifts. And I’ve been playing it out in my head ever since. Essentially, the very things we see lacking in others are often exactly the things we are good at. BAM! Think about this – If something is irritating you, perhaps it’s because you’re the one talented/equipped enough to fill that gap.
When I walk into a messy house I immediately want to start cleaning it. Ironically, not because their mess irritates me, but because I know I could rock their organizational world and have a blast while doing it. I love to clean! What crazy things are you good at that others would rather poke their eyes out than spend an afternoon doing? Start doing those things more, and consider doing them more often for others. (I sense an onslaught of email invitations to come an organize peoples homes….)
The truth is, sometimes we prefer to sit back and be frustrated. It seems easier than the effort of helping to make things change. That’s a lie the enemy will use against you. The truth is that NOT using your gifts makes life much harder than using them all the time. Gifts require practice. And gifts are designed to be used for others.
The church I’m going to meets in a night club in downtown Munich. Monday to Saturday DJ’s blast music into the wee hours while bar tenders are breaking a sweat working in overdrive. But on Sunday morning a large group of people wake up with the roosters to transform that space into a church. The kind of church people wait in line at in order to find a seat. The huge kids Sunday school area is lit with upside down Smirnoff Vodka bottles. But somehow it works.
And we’re new there – not even sure if this is where we are called to be full-time. But the Father keeps saying to me: “Find your place. The community you are in was not created for you, but YOU FOR IT. So what do you need to be doing?”
Whether it’s church, work, home, your group of friends or at your neighborhood block party… are you avoiding your irritations or making a difference because of them? What do YOU need to be doing? I bet you’ll end up loving it…
#Whatsyourgift #wheredoibelong #stopcomplaining
Apparently I’d be good at buying grocery’s! ha Dad just woke me out of a sound sleep because he forgot his list and boy was I irritated.
On a serious note, as usual, this was wonderful. I totally got what you were saying but the Lord spoke to me in an extra sneaky way while reading. Early in the blog you said “when you complain about your church, you’ve FOUND YOUR GIFT”. I stopped reading and gasped! Before reading on, I thought you were saying that if we spent time complaining, “It” would turn into our “gift”. In other words, complaining would become what we’re good at! I panicked. Then, I read on… Of course I loved what you were saying and agree whole heartily but I also know God was speaking to me about the complaining piece too. You’re such a good writer and used of the Lord. Without even meaning to, you gave me to important lessons today.
Wow. That is truth too. I’m willing to admit there’s been times in my life that I’ve been “gifted” at being irritated. Yuck. Sorta sucks to have to admit that. I guess there is a whole lot to learn about what worth there is in being frustrated. Can we harness are attitudes for the good — super hero style!? If anyone can, it’s you Lutricia Lynn.
I can’t tell you how much I needed this…so much so that my bed was way more better to be in than facing my heart-it’s desires/frustrations/hurts and longings. But I crawled out, poured my heart out before The Lord, sipped some organic delight and He drew me to this! I love you, Heather. I miss you, sweet friend-and boy would we have so much to share over this Word. My frustrations/my heart LONGS for others to learn to walk in freedom-freedom from fear of rejection, insecurity and all things that bring bondage. I long to teach others how to include, how to affirm…how to love. I love to call out greatness in others and deeply want to see people drop their insecurities and fear to live and empower one another. That is my calling…but i wrestle with the “profession” in which to go this. Perhaps there isn’t one single profession -but a daily walking in His Presence…..
What a dose of fresh air you are to me — to everyone who has the privilege of knowing you. And, just in case you needed someone to second that calling you feel you have on your life, I do!! I too am trying to find the box that I fit into. What career fits my varied heart desires? So far, I’ve got nothin’. But, like you, I just keep trying to create circumstances to do what I feel called to be doing. Haven’t got a paycheck in more than a decade… maybe I never will. But I’m ever so grateful to know who I’m called to be and have the chance to just start doing it. And there is SO MUCH more I want to be doing. I completely hear your heart. And I know the level of energy and desire you have (because you don’t do anything half-way). Let’s agree to pray for each other as we seek the next path to run skipping down in our lives. 😉
Heather, This is beautiful…..relates to my Proverbs devotional today! You have helped me in so many ways. I love my cookbooks, my family room, just everything you have done for me!! Thanks! You do take the time to help others……you really do!!! I love you!!
You are such an encourager…and probably the only person reading this who actually doesn’t get irritated about anything!!! I love you!
This is great!! Jim and I have a statement that we recite often: People drive me crazy! We’d rather be recluses sometimes, so you can see we have serious issues with the general public!
Heather, you are a wonderful example of pouring yourself out for others, and I get excited to think about how you will bless this new church. But seriously, leave the children’s area alone! The description made me laugh!!