FEBRUARY FOREVER GIFTS

Decades ago, whenever I was asked to volunteer in an area that I perceive to be difficult, I simply said, “It’s not my gift.”  

It was the easy way out.  

Was the task really too difficult or was I just being selfish and lazy?  

As I grew in my Christian walk, God showed me how gifted I was in many areas if only I would say, “Yes.”   There are some people in this world who seem to have outstanding gifts.  

One person I recall is Ed Sullivan.  His gift of discernment set him on stage in front of millions of people when television was just beginning to break into the average household.  

This diminutive man who was not an eloquent speaker became the Master of Ceremonies every single Sunday night to millions of people.   

Ed had a unique gift of seeing talent in others.  

He lured them into this new phenomenon where an entertainer would be looking into a box in the middle of an empty stage.  

That person or group would have to give of themselves not knowing that millions of people were watching their every move.   

 Ed’s gift of discernment saw talent, invited talent, nurtured talent and drew millions of households into one spot for one hour on one day of the week.  

He brought into every household the talking hand (let me know if you remember this one), Brenda Lee, Jose Jimenez, the Beatles and talent far beyond the scope of most peoples’ imagination.  In my humble opinion, Ed Sullivan was, and will always be, the king of television variety shows.   

Yet, the most profound talent I recall from the Ed Sullivan Show to this day has become a gift to me.  

It’s as if God translated this pithy exercise into a life lesson.  Plate spinning.  Please let me know if you remember this one.  

A person stands in front of the TV camera with some plates and long, flexible sticks about one yard long.  One plate is placed on top of the stick and spun into motion.  

As that plate on a stick is moving he sets another in motion, and another and still another until up to twelve plates are in motion.  

Yes, a plate may drop off but somehow he is able to stoop down, while spinning all the other plates, pick it up and begin this odd plate spinning again.  

In all my careers over the past several decades, I equate that talent with my own actions.  I often ask myself, “Am I spinning too many plates at one time?”    

When it comes to serving the Lord with gladness, I have met several gifted plate spinners.  

They are the ones who keep a ministry going when everyone else has said, “It’s not my gift.”  

They are the ones who help a worship service run smoothly as they greet then usher then read from the lectionary.  They might preach, too, if it were permitted.  

They may have also done all the background work with church bulletins and setting the altar for communion.  They are most excellent plate spinners.    

And then there are the hand-sitters.  They are also gifted.  They have great discernment when it comes to pitching in.  

“It’s not my gift. . . . I’m already spinning one plate and that is plenty in my life right now . . . I’m retired from plate spinning.”   Many hand sitters do not realize their many gifts because they choose not to exercise this simple word, “Yes.”  

In their defense, perhaps no one has invited the hand sitter by simply asking for help.  

It’s not the hand sitters' fault if they cannot see the need.  

Plate spinners are notorious for saying, “yes” far too many times.  

Plate spinners need to offer one of their spinning plates to a hand sitter.   

This article was written to encourage people in our church to find out their hidden talents, their God-given Gifts. Yet, I invite anyone reading this blog to share with others the opportunity to say, “Yes” when invited to help each other give aid to another. 

Whether in a church ministry or another place where you volunteer, those talents which give you joy can be used as a gift to others. Giving of ourselves in meaningful ways not only enhances our own sense of purpose but also may enhance another’s life, even for a moment. 

A wonderfully balanced life begins when plate spinners hand off a spinning plate or two to hand sitters and hand sitters gladly put into action their gifts they know, deep inside, which are to be shared with others. 

 Hand sitters only need to say, “Yes” and offer to grab a spinning plate. 

All of us can find renewed joy in giving of ourselves one more time.