Use it or Lose it

I use that phrase a lot these days –- just to remind me I haven’t worked out for a few days and I need to get back to the fitness center. The principle of “use it or lose it” is universal. If we don’t exercise, our muscles get smaller (or flabbier). If we don’t use our minds, we will get less sharp as we get older. That’s my rationale for playing word and number games.

If we have a talent and we refuse to practice or use it, we’ll lose that talent. If we want friends, we are friendly. How could we withhold God’s love from others when God has given us so much?

If we do use what God has given us, we get even more of it. If we use our muscles, they get bigger. If we take a little bit of money and invest it wisely, it gets bigger. I think that’s also true when we give into God’s Kingdom, our monies will multiply. “Give and it shall be given, pressed down, shaken together and running over.” (Luke 6:38)

Let’s do a self-analysis. What could we use more of in our lives? How about more friends? Or money? Or energy? Or time? Or talent? Or a fit and healthy body?

I know the secret! I’ve proven it to myself and others. Whatever we need more of, we should take the little we’ve got and start using it to better our own lives, as well as serving others unselfishly.

You might say “I don’t have time to serve other people. I already don’t have time to get all the things done I need to do. How could I add anything else?” Why do we think we don’t have time? God never meant for us to spend all our time on ourselves. Why would God give us more time if we’re just going to spend it on ourselves?

It’s like the principle of tithing (giving God the first part)! My parents taught me from a young age the importance of giving God first before I spend all my money on me. God’s Word says this in Malachi 3:10 “I am the LORD All-Powerful, and I challenge you to put me to the test. Bring the entire ten percent into the storehouse, so there will be food in my house. Then I will open the windows of heaven and flood you with blessing after blessing.”

When we give that 10 percent back to God, God takes the other 90 percent and makes it stretch further than we would have if we kept 100 percent for ourselves. And that is true with our time. That is true with our talent. That is true with anything in life.

If we don’t use it, we’ll lose it. I have seen how God gives us everything we need in life when we use our time, money, and talent for Him.

This gal, ME, is speaking to my dear friends today with the voice of experience. I know that sowing and reaping is important to a farmer. When he plants and waters his seeds, then he can expect a bountiful harvest. My children in Rusk TX proved that to be true this year. I’ve seen AND tasted their bountiful harvest!

I know God’s harvest. I used my “seed” faith when I started blogging back in 2010. My daily planting not only gives back to me and fills my life with so many dear friends and followers, but I get to hear how something I said opened their eyes and hearts to change, to blessings and peace.

We just can’t do too much, give too much, share God’s love too much. It’s God’s way – and His way is so rich in blessings!