6-8-15: Born to Talk
I recently found my elementary school report cards. What fun it was to look over my teachers’ names and my grades. The most amusing part of the trip down memory lane, though, was reading the comments my teachers wrote to my parents. Besides the “good student” and “pleased with progress” remarks, another theme emerged. My second grade teacher, Ms. Leon, noted, “…she has a bad habit of talking.” Evidently, I didn’t change much in successive grades, because when I was in the 5th grade, Mrs. Payne commented, “Sharon is quite a conversationalist with her seat mate Peggy.”
Although 2nd and 5th grades were a long time ago for me, I do remember being “spoken to” quite a bit about my talking during class. I obviously got my work done while I kept up the chatter because I received solid A’s and B’s. Evidently, I simply must have had something to say.
On the heels of this discovery, imagine my delight when I read Psalm 17:17-18.
O God, You have taught me from my youth;
And to this day I declare Your wondrous works.
Now also when I am old and grayheaded,
O God, do not forsake me,
Until I declare Your strength to this generation,
Your power to everyone who is to come (NKJ).
This passage spoke to my heart. Twice in these verses is the word “declare.” From my youth, I have been “declaring.” The Hebrew root (nagad) means “to announce, always by word of mouth to one present.” Even as a seven-year-old little girl, I was already living out my calling. Sure, I’ve matured in what I talk about, but the act itself seems to have been imbedded. Now through devotions, talks, sermons, lessons, seminars, broadcasts, and books, I believe for myself as the Psalmist prayed, that God “will not forsake me until I declare [His] strength to this generation and [His] power to everyone who is to come.” I have my work cut out for me. (Yes, that is the little talker above!)
Think back. What habit of your past could have been a hint to your present calling? What did you do naturally that God can use for His glory? Place your natural affinities in His hands. Your work for the Master will be as effortless as breathing.
____________________________
©2015 Sharon Norris Elliott. Feel free to forward this devotion in its entirety, including this copyright line. Leave comments, ask questions, read past devotions, or subscribe to receive these devotions daily in your e-mail at www.sanewriter.wordpress.com. Also, periodically check in at www.LifeThatMatters.net to see what’s going on in the ministry.
ANNOUNCEMENT: Watch The Holy Spirit Broadcasting Network’s new internet TV show Life That Matters with Sharon Norris Elliott from any internet-connected device at www.HSBN.tv. (Stream current show Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; or view past episodes anytime!)
Pick up a copy of Sharon’s newest release,
Why I Get Into Trouble as well as other favorites, Boomerangs to Arrows, andPower Suit
Why I Get Into Trouble link to our eStore: https://www.createspace.com/5131814
Boomerangs to Arrows: A Godly Guide for Launching Young Adult Children available from Judson Press (http://www.judsonpress.com/product.cfm?product_id=17387),
(Boomerangs Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2JH_gbinMk )
Power Suit: The Armor of God Fit for the Feminine Frame from New Hope Publishers (http://www.newhopedigital.com/2010/08/power-suit/)