Giftedness and discipline
As an interim pastor, I worked in college ministry with Huntingdon students — most of whom were music majors — for a few years.
It was a privilege to hear corporate worship being blessed by brass, woodwind and vocal instruments wielded by instrumentalists with determination and excellence.
Sometimes when leading corporate prayer, I would thank God for the giftedness of these young adult musicians.
But in expressing this gratitude, at some point I realized that my prayers were incomplete. I needed simultaneously to express thanks for the students’ discipline.
It’s one thing to have giftedness, but it must also be developed through discipline — in other words, practice — to achieve true musical excellence.
This is part of what stewardship is all about: being faithful to use and develop what God has placed in your life for His glory — hopefully aiming to maximize one’s gifts, possessions and life circumstances for the sake of God’s kingdom.
First Corinthians 9:24 exhorts: “Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize.”
Each of us should strive for excellence and stewardship in the living of the Christian life in order to glorify God.
Keith Hinson
Office of Communications and Cooperative Program
State Board of Missions
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“The life of a Christian is an education for a higher service. God is training you for something.”
Corrie Ten Boom
Dutch Christian author whose family became famous for its heroic efforts during the Holocaust
Theological education is an investment with eternal returns.
SBTS Admissions Office via Twitter
To build your life around God’s word (Jesus’ teaching + the rest of the Bible) is to build your life on a firm foundation. Christianity is a worldview; its truth has applications for every area of your life. Putting Jesus in a compartment is not really an option.
Alex Chediak, Author
“Thriving at College: Make Great Friends, Keep Your Faith, and Get Ready for the Real World!”
We talk about “finding the will of God.” In reality, it’s never been lost! It’s spelled out right there in [2 Peter 3:9]. God wants every person alive to hear the gospel, and He uses His church to make that happen.
J.D. Greear, Author
“What Are You Going to Do with Your Life?”
In the biblical understanding of giftedness, gifts are never really ours or for ourselves. We have nothing that was not given us. Our gifts are ultimately God’s, and we are only “stewards.”
Os Guinness, Author
“The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life”
“So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help” (Isa. 30:18).
I read this verse this morning, and I sent it to my daughter who will be graduating college in less than four months. This is a milestone in her life with many emotions as she transitions from being a student for the last 17 years to working full time (we hope).
It’s not easy to lay aside all our great plans and trust God. Or maybe we don’t have any plans and are struggling to figure out what to do. God is faithful, loves each of us so much and is ready to help us. But we must come to Him and trust Him.
Beth Gardner
Baptist Campus Minister
Metro Mobile Baptist Campus Ministries
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From the Twitterverse
@MattDanielsBCM
About to break open the bread of life with a group of athletes! Can’t wait to see how the Lord moves in these men.
@DannyAkin
The coming of Jesus Christ was nothing less than an invasion of sinful planet earth for the salvation of the world! @ronjourlocke @SEBTS #sechapel
@NOBTS
Even though the start of this semester will be different than most, we’re still excited for classes to begin! Shoutout to our professors & students for their commitment to their classes & flexibility during unprecedented times. What you guys are doing is incredible.
@DrPaulChitwood
As another class of @SBCCP seminary students earn terminal degrees, @IMB_SBC needs theological educators all over [our] world. Is God calling you to teach among the nations?
@GatewaySeminary
“Rejecting secular positions as foundational to our curriculum does not mean we do not address the problems raised by those viewpoints.” — @Jeff_Iorg
@SEBTS
But as for me, I will sacrifice to you with a voice of thanksgiving. I will fulfill what I have vowed. Salvation belongs to the Lord. — Jonah 2:9
@SamfordU
Despite the various challenges presented by the ongoing pandemic, Samford University graduates continue to transition into the workforce successfully. 95% of the May 2020 graduating class are either employed or continuing their education in graduate school.
@SWBTS
“As you choose songs for your church to sing, don’t forget the hymnal. Used knowledgably, a good hymnal can be a valuable resource to help you find biblically rich songs, rooted in church history and edifying for your congregation.” —@ScottAniol
@WVTM13
University of Mobile graduate will make history as the first female to officiate the Super Bowl.
@AdamGreenway
“Your dissertation is your last paper, not your first book.” —@SWBTS interim provost @davidsdockery’s wisdom for research doctoral students #PointToPonder @rdsswbts
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