My favorite college professor at the University of Delaware taught Physical Geography. During my interactions with Dr. Mather, he urged my to pursue a career in Meteorology. Beside a Major League Baseball hitter, what other occupation allows you to be wrong 80% of the time and still keep your job. Although his teaching made me eager to learn about weather systems, I felt called to go into youth ministry after graduating from college.
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them, 1 Corinthians 12:4.
Following a semester of teaching poetry to junior high students at a boarding school in West Virginia, I sensed an ability to discern hidden things. This gift initially took the shape of writing, ranging from poetry, song writing and short stories. However, fourteen years ago this week God revealed an a new venue. One night, I couldn’t sleep, feeling like someone I knew was in trouble. So I started to pray for everyone I could think of when I heard a knock on our front door. My next door neighbor went to labor, three months premature. This time of prayer continued until I got word she and her new daughter were okay.
There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work, 1 Corinthians 12:5-6.
When I was younger, I tried to be well round. However, the older I become, it’s obvious that they are certain things I was never created and designed to do. Thus, I press on, specializing in my areas of expertise. Whether its discernment, a weather forecast or none of the above, strive to excel in what you do best. As for me, I continue to write, hoping one day to be a successful author or screen writer. Until this day arrives or my gifts shift in a new direction, I pray that the Lord honors the service of utilizing my God given talents.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 