On the shelf

And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had rendered; and they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice. - 1 Kings 3:28

     Yesterday I was really challenged about asking the Lord for gifts that will benefit others. Today I am challenged to go one step further. After receiving wisdom from the Lord, Solomon immediately puts it to use by solving a domestic dispute. Not only did Solomon ask for a gift to benefit others, but he also used it! I think back to my childhood and all of the toys I wanted. The newest action figure or game or whatever looked so amazing on the shelf. I would beg my parents for it or put it on a birthday or Christmas wish list or save my allowance to eventually purchase it. Many times after all of this anticipation and desire I would stick the item on a shelf and forget about it so quickly. None of it ever really lived up to my imaginations. Am I doing that with my spiritual gifts? Am I too busy asking for a new gift while I have unused gifts in my life? Often I get excited and ask God for help with something and I use His help for a while, but then I kind of fade away. I get busy and preoccupied and I lay God's gift on a shelf somewhere in my heart. It's time that I cleaned off the shelf and used my gifts to the best of my ability, all the time. Like each of our real-life closets, we may be surprised what we find within us if we take the time to look.