You Are an Advert, Not the Blessing: Guiding Others to True Fulfillment
In a world desperately searching for meaning and satisfaction, we often look to tangible things, to individuals who seem to possess something we lack. We admire talent, celebrate success, and sometimes, unknowingly, place people on pedestals. But what if our role isn’t to be the blessing, but rather to be a conduit, a channel that directs others to the source of true and lasting fulfillment?
This might sound counter-intuitive, especially when we pour our hearts into developing our skills and sharing our passions. Yet, understanding this fundamental truth can revolutionize how we view our purpose and impact the lives of those around us. There are two key aspects to this understanding: first, the indwelling and active presence of the Holy Spirit within us – the very blessing the world needs – and second, the intentional refinement of our gifts and talents, not as an end in themselves, but as a way to attract others and ultimately point them towards God, the real and unending blessing.
God’s Call to a suffering world
Our generation is grappling with deep suffering and a profound spiritual void. The scriptures speak of a world lying in darkness, a world desperately yearning for God’s saving grace (Isaiah 60:2a). As 1 John 5:19 states, “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” In this context, there’s a continuous call for those chosen by God, the “elect,” to awaken and be reached. While not everyone will respond, there are specific individuals God desires to draw to Himself. They are among the many still enveloped in this spiritual darkness, waiting to hear the Master’s voice, a call that resonates only with His sheep. As Jesus said in John 10:27, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” But this call needs a response, a bridge to connect the yearning heart with the divine source.
The Blessing/Solution the World Needs: The Holy Spirit within
Imagine humanity’s original design: a state of completeness and perfection, living in seamless harmony with God’s loving intention in the Garden of Eden. Then came the fall. Suddenly, man plunged into a degraded state marked by loss, confusion, profound emptiness, and a pervasive sense of inauthenticity. This is the deeply hurting condition we see in the world today – a generation longing to be delivered and restored to their foundational, perfect state, exactly as God first intended. The only way back to this true self, this original design, is to be reconnected to God. His divine solution, offered to all who seek Him, is the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit takes residence within a person and begins His transforming work, He meticulously restores us to our authentic selves, enabling us to fulfill God’s initial design and live in a way that truly pleases and satisfies Him, our magnificent Creator.
You Are a Vessel to Inhabit the Blessing, Not the Blessing Itself
The fundamental purpose of humanity is to be a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to manifest His presence and power. 1 Corinthians 6:19 declares, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?” The Holy Spirit is the authentic blessing that this world, in its state of decay, desperately requires. But there needs to be a bridge, something to connect people to this spiritual reality. That’s where you come in.
First and foremost, you yourself must open your heart and allow the Holy Spirit to reside within you. He is the true treasure, not your inherent abilities alone. With the Holy Spirit’s anointing upon you, as highlighted in Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor; he has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” This verse reveals the active, redemptive work the Holy Spirit empowers His vessels to do in the world.
Then, with the Holy Spirit as your foundation and anointing –the Solution and Blessing the world of men needs, you intentionally cultivate your gifts, striving for excellence. This excellence draws the attention of those around you. It is through this attraction that you can then guide them towards the real blessing – the Holy Spirit. Remember, as John 3:30 says of John the Baptist, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” It is not you they ultimately need; it is the transformative power and presence of God within them, working through you.
Your Gifts: The Instrument to Gain Attention
In this earthly realm, human beings are naturally drawn to excellence. When you hone your gifts and talents to a high degree, it’s by divine design that you capture attention. God has placed within every person on this planet unique abilities meant to bless the world. Romans 12:6a reminds us, “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.” Therefore, discovering and diligently refining your gifts is not a pursuit of vanity, but a crucial step in becoming that channel.
Think about it: in our fallen state, we are naturally attuned to the physical, to what our five senses can perceive. We are often moved by emotions and respond to tangible manifestations of skill and beauty. The profound blessing God wants to impart – the Holy Spirit – is spiritual, and thus, not immediately grasped by the natural mind. As 1 Corinthians 2:14 says, “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he cannot understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” Your refined gifts become that initial point of connection, a natural pathway that can lead people into the realm of the spiritual, to the very blessing they truly need.
The Downside of the Fall: Misplaced Glory
Since humanity’s fall from grace, we’ve drifted away from a true reverence for God. Created by Him and utterly dependent on Him, we’ve unfortunately developed a sense of self-sufficiency and a hunger for personal acclaim. The world today is filled with celebrities and influencers, often lauded for the sheer brilliance of their talents. While excellence is commendable, the danger lies in forgetting that these gifts originate from God, not for our personal elevation, but to fulfill His divine purpose. James 1:17 reminds us, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”
God’s intention has always been that our abilities would serve as magnets, drawing others not to ourselves, but to Him. The true purpose of your gift is to capture the attention of those who need the genuine blessing – the Holy Spirit – and to redirect that attention towards the Giver of all good things. As 1 Peter 4:10-11 instructs, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
God’s Call and Your Role as the Intermediary
God is already reaching out, calling those who are His own. Your role is to get their attention, not for your own sake, but to lead them to the One who truly satisfies. You are the channel, the medium, the vital link meant to connect people to the actual Blessing – the Holy Spirit.
This is where you step in as the intermediary, using your God-given and refined talents to bring the “elect” into His presence. The world of humanity is captivated by excellence in areas they understand and appreciate: music, art, sports, innovation, and countless others. These are not merely avenues for personal achievement; they are the very pathways through which you can shine a light, capture attention, and ultimately guide others towards the source of eternal blessing.
As Matthew 5:14-16 powerfully states, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” This light, revealed through your excellent gifts and actions, attracts those who are in darkness.
Furthermore, Isaiah 60:1-4 prophetically declares, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather themselves together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip.” These verses beautifully illustrate how your manifested excellence, empowered by God’s glory, serves as a beacon that draws people from all walks of life to the very light of God that radiates from you.
In essence, your developed gifts are not just talents; they are God-given tools. They are the initial spark that captures attention in a world seeking answers, serving as your unique platform to redirect eyes from yourself to the ultimate Source of all goodness and light: God Himself.