Daily Devotional for September 7, 2022

This past weekend, the news media out of Las Vegas reported a woman had eaten at the Chili’s restaurant in the Harry Reid International Airport and left without paying her bill.
 
The Las Vegas Metro police found her in the baggage claim area.  As she became belligerent with the officers, they arrested her.  She said the only reason they were arresting her was because they had never seen anyone as good looking as she is.
 
At that moment it dawned upon me.  I have a twin sister my parents never told me about.
 
While you may not be as devastatingly good looking as me or my sister in Las Vegas, there is something very wonderful and unique about you.  God gave you a gift for a reason.
 
The problem is, sometimes, instead of claiming the primary identity as a child of God, we let our God-given gifts define us.  That’s the moment we think too highly of ourselves and make a huge mistake.
 
Paul said, “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”  (Romans 12:3)
 
What gives you unfathomable value is not your looks, talents, or skills.  When the One chose to die rather than live without you, and that’s exactly what he did, your value came out of the love and sacrifice of the cross. There is nothing greater.
 
So, remember who you are, use the gifts God gave you to lighten the load of others, and praise the One who created, redeems, and sustains you.
 
Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, thank you for dying so that I may live.  Help me employ my gifts for your purpose.  And Lord, in those moments when I want my gifts to define me, remind me I already have a name.  I am your child.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.
 
The lesson is don’t think too highly of yourself.  It’s not about you.  It’s about God.
 
Now if you will excuse me, Shannon and I must catch a flight to Las Vegas so we can meet my breathtakingly beautiful sister I never knew I had.
 
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins