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For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. – Romans 12:3
When each of my boys turned 13, I took them on a father-and-son adventure weekend that they each got to help design. My oldest son chose to go on a white-water rapids adventure. My middle son decided he wanted to go to the gun range and fire weapons at paper pargets. My youngest son chose a wooded zipline adventure.
For years afterward, I kind of felt like I shortchanged my middle son, because his adventure was done and over in an hour, whereas the other two were engaged in the actual activity for many more hours.
But if you ask him, he will tell you that he felt special because he got what he wanted. He didn’t want to zipline or whitewater rapids. He didn’t want to climb a mountain or snorkel with dolphins. He wanted to shoot guns. So in that moment, he not only felt special; he felt heard.
That attitude is something our heavenly Father also wants from us as we consider the measure of blessing he bestows to us. Let’s be honest; it definitely seems like some get more from God than others. Some seem to have a greater measure of faith. Others, a greater ability to teach. Other still, a greater capacity to lead others well.
So, how should we respond? It looks a little like God’s playing favourites. “Why don’t I have a greater capacity to pray, teach, or lead?” you might be tempted to say.
But no one should in any way think that the amount of blessing we receive from God has anything to do with our worth or merit. God gives blessings as He sees fit, not based on some people being better or worse than anyone else, but instead, based on the plans that God has for each person.
You might be given a smaller capacity to teach the Bible, not because God doesn’t trust you, but because God has different plans for you. Or He might give you a smaller ability to lead so that when he does put you in a position of leadership, you will even more have to rely on Him and His strength to succeed.
The point is, the same attitude that my middle son had, one of appreciation and not resentment, filled me with a sense of joy. He might have been given a smaller measure, but his heart was filled with gratitude, nonetheless.
What do you find in your basket—the basket that holds God’s blessings for you? Do you find yourself feeling like maybe it’s empty? Hear the words of the apostle Paul in the verse above. God has given you His measure. The right gift. The right amount. Designed for you to fulfill His plan for you in His kingdom.