Is Your Gift Sitting in the Junk Drawer?

We’ve all had that moment; you’re rummaging through a drawer and come across a gift card you forgot existed. It’s been there for months, maybe years. Worse, it’s expired. You sigh, realizing you missed out on something valuable simply because you never used it.

That image sticks with me. Because in many ways, we’re all holding on to gifts we haven’t unwrapped.

Scripture tells us plainly: “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another” (1 Peter 4:10). It doesn’t say if you have a gift. It says each of you. No exceptions.

We’re not just talking about spiritual superpowers. We’re talking about real-life skills: leadership, encouragement, generosity, teaching, kindness. Romans 12 echoes the same idea, laying out how these gifts should be lived out with sincerity, dedication, and joy.

So why do so many of us live as if we’re giftless?

What’s Keeping You from Using Your Gift?

For some, it’s a lack of awareness. You haven’t taken the time to explore what your strengths are. Maybe you assume gifts only count if they’re used on a stage or behind a microphone.

Others know their gifts, but they’ve grown comfortable using them for personal gain or just letting them sit idle. Life gets busy. Serving takes energy. But the truth is: a gift isn’t really a gift if it’s never given away.

Serving God faithfully isn’t just about showing up to church or singing louder on Sundays. It’s about how we treat each other. It’s about what we’re willing to give up and who we’re willing to bless with what we’ve been given.

A Personal Word About Music and Leadership

Let me speak from my own life. Before I became a pastor, I spent 17 years in church music. It was my identity. Then I stepped into preaching and leading a congregation. At first, I wondered: what do I do with this music background?

Turns out, it wasn’t wasted. I now teach at a university, helping young worship leaders write original music for the church. I also bring music into hospital rooms, singing songs of hope when people need comfort the most. That same skill, once used in concerts, is now a tool to minister to souls in pain.

Another gift I’ve discovered is leadership. And here’s where it gets exciting: I’ve dedicated this season of my life to seeing a disciple-making movement spread across our region. Why? Because I believe leadership isn’t about being in charge, it’s about being willing to serve others so they can grow too.

The Church Is You and Me

Let’s be clear: the church isn’t a building or a service time, it’s people. You and me. When we hold back our gifts, we’re not just shortchanging ourselves, we’re limiting the body of Christ.

If you’ve ever wondered why you feel stuck in your faith, it might be because your gift is still sitting in the drawer. You were designed to live with purpose. That purpose becomes clear when you start serving others.

Serving faithfully means loving earnestly, sharing cheerfully, and showing up consistently—not because someone made you, but because you’ve been given something too valuable to waste.

Don’t Waste Your Gift

Back to the gift card analogy. It's not just about forgetting, it’s about failing to redeem something that had real value.

Some of us treat our talents that way. We sit on them. We hide them. We say, “Maybe later.” But life keeps moving. People keep hurting. And the opportunity to serve might pass by without us even realizing it.

You don’t have to be a preacher or musician to make a difference. Maybe you’re great at organizing. Maybe you’re a natural encourager. Maybe you love to listen or pray or create. Whatever it is, it matters.

God gave you that ability not just for your own benefit but to lift someone else up.

Find Out What’s in You

Here’s something practical you can do this week: take a spiritual gifts assessment. There’s one available on our church’s website that can help you get started. It’s not the final answer, but it’s a tool to help you explore how God’s wired you.

Once you know your gift, the question becomes: Will you use it? Will you make your life about something bigger than yourself?

Because when you start using what God gave you for the benefit of others, something shifts. Purpose begins to bloom. Faith deepens. And the church becomes stronger because you’re no longer a spectator. You’re a servant.