Another year is rapidly coming to an end. Every year I say I am going to get in my flower bed and plant some pretty colorful flowers. And every year including this year I haven’t. I do sometimes go out and prune what the landscapers put in…lol. I be soo proud of myself when I do a littler pruning of the flower beds. Then I look across the street at my neighbors’ flower beds or drive a couple of blocks and see another neighbors’ flower pots. I think to myself my little pruning is nothing compared to how the flowers they planted look. I wish I could plant flowers as pretty as theirs.

Sounds strange to think that someone could feel this way about flowers in a flower bed. This is just one small but real example of how something so small can lead to envy and jealousy.

God blesses and entrust each of us with talent, influence and spiritual gifts to glorify Him and to build His kingdom. But how often do we look around at our friends, communities, neighbors, church members and wonder why did I get the 2^nd and 3^rd string giftings while others seem to have 1^st string giftings?

As women, whether we want to openly admit it, we sometimes struggle with comparison. If not careful, comparison can lead to envy. We are fortunate that we have so many faithful and inspiring women around us. Yet, unfortunately these same women are the ones who we can become envious of. Yes…..subliminally we look over the fence and the questions of why begin to swirl in our heads…..ok….maybe it was just me…lol.

Anyway……….in one of those why question moments conviction came over me through the voice of The Holy Spirit. “God did not give you gifts for you. God gave you gifts for HIM!”

When the realization sets in that our gifts are given to us by God in order to serve those around us our thinking will shift about how we view gifts of other women. You will begin to see how God has blessed you, learn to trust Him with the giftings given and to value them from His perspective. This will lead to you not comparing your gifts and talents to those of other women.

God calls us to use the talents, influence and spiritual gifts to serve others. We must be vigilant in fighting the lie that her talents, influence and spiritual gifts are better than yours. Fight the lie that God can’t use you for Kingdom. Fight the lie that you can’t do what she does. Grasp tightly to the truth that you can do well with what God equips you to do, no matter how big or small.

Grab a moment to take inventory of your life. Reflect on all the things God has given you to steward {big or small}. Your talents, influence and spiritual gifts are meant to be used to serve others. The biggest mistake happens when we believe the lie that our giftings are too small, not enough or you’re not equipped. Remember if God gave you giftings He will enable you to execute those giftings.

I might not ever have a green thumb. However, through the pruning of my flower bed it gave me the opportunity to see and reflect on the beauty of Gods creations instead of what I couldn’t do. Pruning to me seemed small and insignificant. But in Gods eyes it’s big because I get to see His beauty not only in my yard but my neighbor’s yard as well. By changing my perspective, I close any room for the enemy to taint my view of another woman’s gift thus equipping me to continue to use my specific gifts to serve those around me for Gods glory.

PEARLStoPONDER: Your perspective is never what you see, but how you view what you see. Your view should be seen through the lens of God.

Matthew 5:16-- In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Ephesians 2:10--For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

1Peter 4:10-11-- As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: ¹¹ whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.