I receive an article this past week that asked the question: “Is your music still in you?” I thought it was a little peculiar so I read the article which began with a quote from Oliver Wendall Holmes who said, “Many people die with their music still within them.” The article continued with a challenge to discover your music which would be your gifts, talents, passion, etc. and don’t let another day pass without playing your music.

The article was actually a challenge to pastors because statistics tell us that only 20 percent of the people in any given church are using their gifts and talents. In other words, the vast majority have music but are letting it just sit within. Here’s what Jesus had to say about the matter:

Matthew 25:14-30 (ESV) ¹⁴"For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called hisservants and entrusted to them his property. ¹⁵ To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. ¹⁶ He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. ¹⁷ So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. ¹⁸ But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. ¹⁹Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. ²⁰And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' ²¹His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' ²² And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.' ²³ His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' ²⁴ He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, ²⁵so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' ²⁶ But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed and gather where I scattered no seed? ²⁷ Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. ²⁸So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. ²⁹ 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. ³⁰ And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

The Bible is clear to tell us that each of us are God’s workmanship, His special project of assembling our gifts, talents, experiences, personality, etc. In the WELDS class we call it your SHAPE (Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experience). God has created each of us for specific good works which He has prepared for us and prepared us for them. In other words, God has a song in you and a place for you to express that song. Too many people do not consider the works of God and sit on the sidelines, thereby sitting on their song.

Psalm 98:1 (ESV) Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.

In the WELDS class we encourage each person to fill out a personal profile which will help to open the door to recognizing your SHAPE and finding the unique place of ministry for which God has designed you and designed the ministry for you. In the quest to discover that unique place, each person is encouraged to find their secondary area of ministry – where ever there is a need. Serving where there is a need can help to uncover gifts, talents, and interests while ministering to the body of Christ.

As we are told to sing a new song unto the Lord, we bring out that new song whenever we step out of our comfort zone and try something new in serving God.

Please don’t let another day pass with your song in you. Respond to needs in our church body by getting involved in ministry. Who knows, the thing you feel you could never do, may be just the outlet for that new song that God has placed within you. You will receive joy as you praise Him through your service.

Godspeed,

Pastor Bob

For Pastor Bob’s weekly PowerBreak see: www.powerbreak.org – You’ll find information
about how to get his weekly PowerBreak via email each week as well as other PowerBreak
resources including the Daily PowerBreak booklet and the Forty Day Marriage Challenge
booklet.