Using the talents and gifts the Lord gives us are key parts of our experiencing the abundant life the Lord offers us. Alternately, if we do not embrace and use our talents and gifts, then we will more likely experience frustration than abundance. Today, I want to use two stories to show how important encouragement from the community of faith is as part of this journey.
Encouraging each other enables us to live an abundant life, and protects us from living a life of regrets.
Now, think through your own life. Who encourages you? Who gave, or gives you opportunities? Who helps you walk through these? Who encourages you to step into them? Who helped you define and fine tune your path in life? I could name so many people, and so many people that still do this for me today. Are you also returning that blessing by encouraging someone today?
Romans 12:4-5
1 Corinthians 12:12-27
Ephesians 4:11-16
And we are rarely successful in our gifts unless we receive encouragement.