Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, Henry Van Dyke wisely said, "Use what talents you possess: The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best."

I grew up in Brisbane, Australia, and attended a primary school where there was a motto written over the door of every classroom. The only one I remember is today's verse taken from the Bible: "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might"â€"that is, whatever you do, do it to the best of your ability and do it with enthusiasm.

That's one motto I have tried to live by and, with God's help, plan to continue for the rest of my life.

Everyone has been given at least one gift/talentâ€"most of us several. May we all use them to the best of our ability to serve God and our fellow man and thereby help make our homes and our world a better place in which to live.

God hasn't called most of us to be experts but he has called all of us to be faithful in putting to good use the gifts he has given to us. So, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it to the best of your ability with enthusiasm."

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me to appreciate the gifts and talents you have given me and to use them to minister to others and therein be a part of what you are doing in the world today. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Ecclesiastes 9:10.
2. Colossians 3:23 (NIV).

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