Make Room

Proverbs 18:16 KJV A man's gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men.

If you grew up in church, you have heard this scripture many times. It was the scripture used to motivate us to use our gifts freely. Why don't you want to sing? Why don't you want to do a speech? Why don't you want to play the drums? Why don't you want to serve? Use your gifts and they will make room for you.

The scripture says what it says, but in the right context, it can have more impact, more power. As believers, we know God dwells in us (I Cor. 3:16). We carry His spirit so the expectation is that we represent Him in what we do and where we go. If using our gifts makes room for us and puts us before great men, that means our gifts make room for God and we carry Him (within us) before great men. We have made this scripture about us when it should be about our Father.

Our motive for using our gifts should not be for recognition, influence, power or wealth. Our motive for using our gifts should be to bring Christ into these rooms, a result of that is recognition, influence, power and wealth. Because we recognize He is the source of all things, He gets the glory. If we enter these rooms without being rooted in our identity, we can be easily swayed and influenced. Instead of being the light in these places, we slowly become like whoever is in the room.

God has been speaking to me about Saul and David, that many times a Saul reveals why a David is needed. We can identify every mistake and flaw David had, but what separated Him from everyone else was his repentant heart, his obedience, and his refusal to take credit for the impacts his gifts had. If a Saul is present, we need to be praying that God raises up a David. To go a little deeper, you may be the David (solution) to whatever problem you are praying (or complaining) about.

I have a couple of questions.

1. Are you using your gifts?

2. Do you have an expectation of what God said WOULD happen when you use it?

3. If you are using your gift, is it for you or are you doing it because you know your gift making room for you is also creating space in these rooms for God?

There is no judgement here. For those not using your gift, it could be out of fear, because of past experiences, or because you do not want to be rejected. Those feelings are valid, but please understand you are the solution to someone's problem or question. You know how it feels for someone to not show up for you, it's time to show up. Showing up for God (and others) is showing up for yourself. That emptiness you feel, lack of purpose, and hopelessness is connected to this, and developing and using your gifts is a part of the solution.

For those starting to use your gifts, do it with expectation. Your heart is pure, your motive is pure, but you also want to do it in expectation that God will keep His word. I didn’t say set an expectation of how it should look, I said do it in expectation because all throughout the word God has made promises and He watches over His word to perform it (Jer 1:12).

Now for group 3, I can relate to you on so many levels. For some time without knowing it, I was using my gifts to prove something. I wanted to prove I was enough, and I wanted to show people that underestimated me why they were wrong. When I received opportunities, I couldn't fully maximize them because I created more space for ego, pride, and fear then I did for God. Ego and pride of life said look what I did. Fear said I can't lose this so what do I have to do to maintain this position, productivity, or whatever was presented or created. Living like that is exhausting. Don't get me wrong, I was obedient in those rooms, but it limited what God could do through me in those rooms.

For you my loves, I say pause and adjust your lense. You are already enough with or without the degree, promotion, raise, or title. It's time to stop chasing validation through what you do or accomplish and just stand in who you are. If you find your identity in what you do, your job, or your roles, it's not too late to change that. It takes time, it's a process, but what you will find is clarity, fulfillment, and the ability to enjoy using your gifts as you have impact. That means if I have to change careers, change strategy, or change focus because needs are changing, I can transition more easily because my identity is rooted in someone stable that does not change. I can still show up as me using my gifts regardless of the city, industry, or role.

For the beautician, continue sharpening your craft. The classes you are creating because you need additional income is an amazing idea, but also continue to network and volunteer. Those little girls you beautified for free for prom because you were that little girl, there is someone waiting and looking for someone to invest, to create classes for those little girls. They have the funding, resources, participants, and now they are looking for someone with the heart.

The government job that you hate, but it has good benefits, keep showing up. Instead of complaining about your manager and the work environment, maybe it's time to go back to school or find out the skills you need to develop to move into leadership. You say you don't want the responsibility, but you are using the same energy complaining, and you are passionate because you are called to change it.

For the teacher that is to your limit, but God keeps saying be still, you are so needed. Beyond education, you are the only light some of those students see, the only encouragement they receive, and you are the bridge that will determine if some of them choose to live to see if better really does come. It might be time to change your strategy. What worked 10 years ago will not work now. He has creative ways for you to use less energy, but still be impactful. He preserves and conserves. You have resources, you have leaders in those rooms, and it's time to use them differently.

For anyone in an uncertain place, maybe you were recently laid off, maybe your industry is turning more to AI for solutions, or maybe you know it's just time for a change, God has an answer to every question and a solution to every problem. It's time to develop and use your gifts. It’s time to root your identity in someone stable, you know He has been waiting on you. It’s time to make room.