Gifts

“A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.” Proverbs 18:16 KJV

This verse was shared with me…it reminded the person of me. I don’t know why. 

She said it had something to do with wherever I go, I seem to be the person to go to for advice and answers. 

This lady has known me in different situations and I always seem to be in the center of whatever is going on…

That is extremely distressing to me. 

I don’t like attention. 

I always feel like I’m on the outside of my life looking in…

Never belonging and always out of place. 

She meant it as a compliment…

I was talking with a friend the other day and relating some of my current situations…

I live outside of my comfort zone. Nothing I do is ever “comfortable.”

And the harder I try to keep my head down and avoid people, the more in the middle of everything I seem to get.  

I literally make it a point to not have to speak to people. I’m always the quietest person in the room. 

Until I’m called on…

And then, the room gets quiet when I speak. 

Or at least it seems to me. 

People seem to want to hear what I have to say. 

And I always make eye contact when I speak. 

Is this a gift, or a curse? 

To be drawn “before great men”…? 

Here’s the thing: I can speak before “great men”. When I am passionate about something, I rarely hold my tongue. I speak my mind and I speak freely. 

I can have a discussion about anything and not be offended when someone differs from me. 

Your thoughts and opinions don’t affect me in the sense that matters most. We can have opposing views and be the best of friends. 

Neither of us ultimately answer for the other. 

I am very decisive. But I don’t come across that way because I am a peaceful person at heart. I want to make sure everyone is comfortable with the situation. 

I have strong opinions but I can put aside my personal feelings and work with others. I’m not going to change my mind on things that I feel so strongly about unless the Lord changes my mind for me. 

Maybe my gifts include the ability to make people feel at ease while gently guiding them through unfamiliar ground. 

We are all imperfect creatures. 

None of us is better than the other. Once we come to realize that and know that and practice that in every facet of life, then we can truly come together in peace and work with each other in a symphony. We have our different parts to play, but we must be humble and submissive. The Lord is the Conductor and He has everything according to His Timing. 

Each person has a special gift that brings them before the great men, if they are blessed with the humility to follow God’s direction.