Balancing Gifts

God has given each one of use special gifts and talents that we are called to spread to the world. Matthew 25 tells the parable of the talents which concludes with: 

For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. Matthew 25:19

 We are called to steward the gifts we were given and spread them to the world. Those that we "hide under a bushel" are wasted. We are given abilities so that we might spread the light of Christ through them as we share what we have to offer with the world. This is something I struggle with. I think there are multiple gifts that God gives each of use and they carry different purposes. What if one gift is neglected to foster the growth of another gift? And what if the gift that was neglected is actually the one that brings more glory to God and should be paid more attention. How do each of us know? This always brings up the thought of what is my purpose in life? Why am I here? 

I pulled up an old email from 2011 last night which was sent to my mom from a family friend. The sender, a beautiful, spiritual woman of God, had been praying for my family and received images to pass along. The segment about me read:  

For Christina ... I heard the strong message that she has been endowed withspecial and generous gifts, but needs to learn to steward what she has beengiven. We have seen many obvious lovely gifts as she has matured, but thereare more, and she needs to learn to care for her mind and body inpreparation for what it is the Lord has in planned for her future.

June 26, 2011. At this point in my life I was  struggling. I have just finished an awesome volleyball season at Regis University and a jam-packed filled year of every activity the university had to offer, but I was sick. I was battling constant fatigue and headaches that only worsened with exercise. My focus at this time was my athletic ability and using that to glorify God through hard work, presence with my team, and thus providing for a faith-centered education. It was right around this time (in the midst of fighting fatigue and illness) that I decided I would diagnose myself and enter the medical field. I began to study nursing. In the coming years my health inhibited my ability to continue as a collegiate athlete, but opened a whole new world of healing and ministry that I had never anticipated entering. These were hidden gifts. 

In taking time to heal I began to foster my musical talent by writing songs, I developed my people skills and practiced mentoring through an on campus job as a peer minister, and I tapped in to the gift of my brain that had the capacity to soak in medical knowledge and apply it in the clinical setting. 

Gifts...and I graduated healthy, strong, and determined to set off into the unknown...
So my focus switched to nursing, to finding that oh so important job that I needed to be considered successful in life and as a result of my studies. In the midst, the music was lost. 

God brought music back to me in the Spring of my senior year to connect me with another Regis grad who needed a vocalist for a song he had written. I soon found myself deep in song writing and recording for this song designed to bring hope to people. Pat, the songwriter, had lost his dad from cancer when he was in high school. He wanted to write something meaningful and give it to the "Ray of Hope" foundation to use as a theme song and to raise money for families affected by cancer. Summer, Fall, Winter and now the song is complete. The first project I've worked on to be copyrighted and to be released...

Here I am a nurse, working music on the side, and praying that God gives me the eyes and the wisdom to see His path. I love my job as a nurse and I love what I do. I am passionate about music and love bringing joy and meaning to lives around me in that realm as well. I can do both. Can I do both well? Only time will tell, but I am open to these gifts, ready to use them, and pray that God then uses me as a vessel so that I may be a light to the world and use these gifts to bring Him glory. 

The one song evolved into two, the second being a rap version I have the honor of singing the chorus to. They will be released April 18th, 2015 and we will be opening for a band (who is to remain unknown at this time) at Regis University that afternoon. Admission is open to the public. 

So gifts evolve and time opens and closes doors to allow those gifts to flourish. What is it you bring to the table and how can you serve God in everyday life? In the ordinary and the extraordinary. 

I pray: God, today I am your hands and feet. Help me to remember this and to extend your love through everything I say and do. Amen.