God's gifts are many and varied, but usually, one primary gift functions through each of us and when we know what gifts we have, it can be very liberating. As time passes we actually grow in our gifts--we learn our strengths and we learn our weaknesses.

One of the biggest mistakes we can make, however, is comparing ourselves with someone else and our gifts with their gifts. You see, God is not going to help me be anyone but ME, and God is not going to help you be anyone but you. In sport, we lose this focus many times. WE try to compete against someone else or become jealous of another's gifts. If you understand the nature of the almighty, you will come to realize that He is not calling us to compete with others, but to love and help one another. It is ironic, but God gave us each our gifts so that we could enhance other people's gifts, never allowing us to fall prey to the spirit of jealousy that is so prevalent in our society.

Think about this.............we think that first is best, but really what is best is where God wants us to be. Some people are intended to be number two, but they never become number one at being number two because they are spending their whole life wishing to be like number one and resenting them for it.

I cannot tell you how much I respect people who are honest with their evaluation of their gifts and talents. They share them so freely in order to enhance someone else and their gifts. On the other hand, I feel empathy for the person who tries to be something they are not. You see, when we are jealous of someone else, that jealousy actually prevents us from knowing what our gifts are from above. Picture this, God put gifts in us for the enjoyment of others, and God places gifts in others for our enjoyment.

Remember this, when we fight against our calling or are dissatisfied with what we have been given, we fight against the work of the Holy Spirit within us. Let us submit to Him, develop the gifts He gave to us with His help, and live for the glory of God.......not our own glory!