Gift Recycling

Does anyone else still have Christmas gifts that have never been used... gifts from Christmas, 1983? It's a little guilt-inflicting, isn't it? Would any of us admit to Chia heads that remain fuzzless? How about salad shooters that have yet to launch a single veggie? I wonder when someone is going to come up with a Chia-head-shooter. I can picture it growing hair on Warren G. Harding, then shooting it out his mouth for a tasty presidential side dish.

Not to add more guilt or anything, but how many of us would dare admit how many furless pottery heads and dead vegetable bazookas we've slyly slipped into the garage sale bag? If you're a Chia lover or you have a need for a salad bomber, try making the rounds to a few garage sales as soon as summer hits. If nothing else, you could snatch up Chia-shooters galore to give away next Christmas. Some people skip the garage sale middle man and recycle their unused gifts the next year.

Keep in mind that gift recycling can get a little tricky. I have a friend who this year received from her mother-in-law the same Clapper she bought for her the year before. Imagine a Clapper that's been mailed across the country- twice. I think the thing may have more frequent flyer miles than I do! It's the Clapper heard round the world.

There really are gifts that are best when recycled, though. Each one of us has received a gift of ministry. First Peter 4:10 doesn't leave a single one of us out when it says, "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." (NKJ) Each one of us! When we're not using the gifts the Father has given us to minister to others, we're not being good stewards of His grace. It's eternally more wasteful than a hairless Chia.

In 2 Timothy 1:6-9 we're told to keep our special gifts of ministry ablaze. "God doesn't want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible. We can only keep on going, after all, by the power of God, who first saved us and then called us to this holy work." (The Message)

Our gifts of ministry are meant to be recycled into service for others by the power of God. He saved us, He called us to get going in service, and He empowers us to serve. Galatians 5:13 says, "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love." (NIV)

Serving others in His name brings great blessing and unspeakable satisfaction.

If you haven't been using the gift God has given you to serve others, it's time to dust it off and recycle it. You'll be amazed at the joy you'll find in fulfilling your Heavenly Father's plan for you.

As for my plan for this devotion, I think I'm ready to wrap it up. I'll be shutting down my computer now. Clap off!

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Rhonda Rhea writes for dozens of Christian publications and speaks at conferences and events across the country. You can find her newest books, "Soup for the Soul-Tastes Just Like Chicken", and "Amusing Grace", at your local Christian bookstore. "Who Put the Cat in the Fridge-Serving Up Hope and Hilarity Family Style", will be available in March. Rhonda's husband, Richie Rhea, is a pastor in Troy, Missouri. You can reach them through her Web site.