Communication

Fear and Hidden Talents Part 2

by Janice S Ramkissoon 
07/08/14
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Understanding God’s Will

When we understand that we are all connected (what we do affects each other whether we admit it or not) and that we were all created for God’s pleasure, we then understand the importance of honouring God in our everyday lives--in all that we say and do. That includes being obedient to the guide of the Holy Spirit.

It is not always easy to do that when we are called to edify in areas that others see as ‘awkward’. We don’t want to be the one people try to avoid. We don’t want be alone on our journey but there are times when we have to accept that people will avoid us and we will sometimes travel a lonely path when we are obedient to God’s Word and the prompting of His Holy Spirit.

Therefore, if you are called to write, speak or preach on a topic classified as ‘awkward’ here are a few things to add to your to-do-list before sharing:

1. Ensure that what you are sharing is in line with God’s Word--to edify (see      Eph.4:12-15)


2. Read James 1:2-12, 19-27


3. Read 1 Peter 3:8-22 and 1 Peter 4 (suffering for doing good, living for God and suffering for being a Christian)


4. Read Ephesians 4:1-16 (unity and maturity in the body of Christ)

This will help to:

• Keep check on our speech


• Deal with areas of anger


• Understand the will of God in our sharing

It will also help us to grow in our faith and ministry. It takes time to meditate on God’s Word, soaking up the wisdom, finding out how it applies to our personal circumstances. Therefore, take the time you need to understand the path chosen for you so that when you speak or write, your words will not be based on quantity but on quality.

Take time to meditate on the Word of God so that you can speak as an oracle of the Author, as your speech and penned words are directed by His Holy Spirit. Do not be in a hurry to share, especially from a place of anger. It can do more harm than good when we do not abide by Ephesians 4:25-5:1-17.

“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbour, for we are all members of one body. ‘In your anger do not sin’: do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold…Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:25-27, 29).

A praise report can easily find us praising individuals who have helped us on the road to deliverance. There is nothing wrong in thanking those individuals (whether privately or publicly, depending on the nature of the ‘act of kindness’). However, for our sharing to have maximum effect, God’s Word has to be the focal point of the message. If our testimony can direct others to His Word, then His Word will do the transforming work in their lives and He will get the glory--not us or the individuals we speak of (verbally or in written form).

When sharing lessons learned from mistakes (especially the mistakes of others) that has directly brought pain to our hearts and find us living with scars (mentally, emotionally or physically) we can so easily share from a place of anger. When we do that we are not edifying but adding ‘insult to injury’ as the saying goes.

When we are angry our words can come across as condemning and our written pieces churns out judgemental phrases that only rebukes but never corrects. That is one of the reasons writers can benefit from putting a written piece aside for days, weeks etc. then re-visit it for editing purposes before attempting to share. Anger must be dealt with biblically.

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

I do believe that God has called me to encourage/exhort--edify the saints and many times that comes through the sharing of my testimony. The message I hope I have conveyed through this article is that, if one individual is able to make it an extra mile on the road to delivery through our sharing, then it will not be in vain. So if you have been hiding your talent or talents, the time has come for you to begin shining again. Someone connected to you need to be encouraged, educated or find the road that leads to their salvation.

Read Matthew 25:14-30 and ensure you are not hiding your talent. Submit to the will of your heavenly Father and invest your God-given talent so that He can get a return. Heaven rejoices when one individual repents and accepts Christ as their Lord and Saviour. You are called to be part of the The Great Commission: “Go teach!” as Matthew 28:16-20 advises. There is a part for each of us to play in God’s master plan.

May this article stir your heart today in doing what God has called you to do.

Your sister in Christ

Janice (8^th July 2014).