MY GIFTS 2
Sabine Berzins
Leading Lives That Matter
Week Six
My Gifts
Abstract
This essay discusses my gifts and utilizing these talents in the service of others. The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30, (2006) brings up an excellent point of not “burying” our gifts, but rather using them in the service of God. However, we must find a balance between work or family and using our gifts to help others. This is exemplified in the citation from Elizabeth Gaskell’s excerpt from The Life of Charlotte Brontë (2006) in which she describes Brontë’s effort to reconcile her duties between …show more content…
You place yourself in their shoes and feel what they are feeling. Empathy is known to increase prosocial (helping) behaviors.”
Where am I using my gifts in service to others who are marginalized or disadvantaged? For some unknown reason, I realize I do have an ability to understand another person’s condition from his or her perspective. In His Parable of Talents (pp. 317-318), Jesus teaches we must use our gifts wisely and not bury them. In this case, the servants represent us and the master represents God. The lesson of this parable is that we should use our gifts in God’s service, otherwise God will consider us wicked as portrayed by the third servant in the parable. I understand when God gives me a talent or gift, He expects me to use it. Otherwise, if I do not use what God has given me, He will take it away and give it to somebody who will. This is worrisome to me, because this new label I have recently acquired puts me in a position where I feel I am obligated to use it in a formal setting and I am not quite sure I am ready to do so. I also understand the essence of Christianity is obeying and worshiping God and helping others. As pointed out in Jesus’ parable, regardless whether our gifts are great or small, we are required to put them to good use. The question then is how do I go about doing …show more content…
However, a set volunteering schedule will most likely work the best for me since I am structure oriented. I recall reading somewhere that people who volunteered reported reduced stress, burnout and overall better mental health. Volunteering has also been associated with lower blood pressure, reduced feelings of loneliness and depression. You receive all these benefits from just volunteering!
My goal is to sit down during winter break and come up with a volunteer plan that will utilize my desire to help seniors. My guess is my stress levels will be reduced greatly by taking a small volunteering pill and at the same time feel good about myself all the while giving credit to God for my