Of Pride and Peacocks
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16
God has gifted us all with different talents and abilities, and we're not being proud when we share them. We're being foolish when we don't share them.
Luke 8:16 says, “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light."
There's an old saying about being as proud as a peacock. It refers to the peacock fanning out its tail feathers to attract attention for various reasons.
But, peacocks aren't really being proud when they do that. They're just showing us who they really are and what they're made of.
Do people know who you are and what you're made of?
I like peacocks. They're beyond beautiful. If they never fanned out their big, beautiful feathers, we would never know how beautiful they really are!
You probably know where I'm going with this.
I remember being in a church service one Sunday night as a teenager when the church pianist became ill and had to leave at the beginning of the service. My father advised that we would be finishing the service a Capella due to the circumstances. During the offertory, a gentleman got up and began to play the piano so amazingly well that it stunned us all! Turns out he had accompanied Elvis and many other famous people in years past, and there was no mistaking why. His ability, his talent was simply amazing. Had he not fanned out his tail feathers, we would never have known or had the joy of experiencing his talent.
But, peacocks aren't really being proud when they do that. They're just showing us who they really are and what they're made of.
Do people know who you are and what you're made of?
I like peacocks. They're beyond beautiful. If they never fanned out their big, beautiful feathers, we would never know how beautiful they really are!
You probably know where I'm going with this.
I remember being in a church service one Sunday night as a teenager when the church pianist became ill and had to leave at the beginning of the service. My father advised that we would be finishing the service a Capella due to the circumstances. During the offertory, a gentleman got up and began to play the piano so amazingly well that it stunned us all! Turns out he had accompanied Elvis and many other famous people in years past, and there was no mistaking why. His ability, his talent was simply amazing. Had he not fanned out his tail feathers, we would never have known or had the joy of experiencing his talent.
God has gifted us all with different talents and abilities, and we're not being proud when we share them. We're being foolish when we don't share them.
Luke 8:16 says, “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light."
And, 1 Peter 4:10 tells us, "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms."
As followers of Jesus Christ, we have someone amazing living inside us (Colossians 1:27). Don't you want everyone to know?
So, fan your feathers, my friend. There's a world out there who needs to know our Jesus.
Goodnight, Runners.
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