Something to Ponder...

A high school friend's blog made reference to this Bible verse yesterday:

"The end of all things is near.  Therefore be clear minded and selfcontrolled so that you can pray.  Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks, he should do it as on speaking the very words of God.  If anyone serves he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.  To him be the glory and power for ever and ever. Amen." 
1 Peter 4:7-11

I've been pondering parts of these verses since I read them, especially the part about using whatever gift he has received to serve others.  I am still trying to figure out what my gift is and how it can be used to glorify God.  I'd have thought that at 32 years old I would have figured that out by now.  :)  On one hand I want to pray for guidance and for God to light a fire in me for those things I am supposed to do.  On the other hand I'm afraid to open that door as God has a tendency to give us much more than we bargained for. 

In the book of James he talks about asking God for wisdom.  The translation from The Message says, "If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father.  He loves to help.  You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it.  Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought.  People who 'worry their prayers' are like wind-whipped waves.  Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open...........Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven.  The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light.  There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle.  He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all his creatures."  Over the last few years I have found this to be true.  When I am confused or in need of guidance, praying for wisdom always helps me make the right decision.  But I have also found that when I pray for wisdom, God opens doors that I didn't expect, and I'm not always prepared for the outcome.  Sometimes when you ask for rain you get a downpour.  That's not always a bad thing, just unexpected.  I guess what I should really be praying for is the courage to pray for direction, and the craziness to take that first step.