contentment & gifts

sry for lousy previous entry. sorted some stuff out & the wkend was awesome so im back to happy dandy, lets press on mood! as some of you wld know (so delighted ive been telling everyone in sight), i managed to catch Stacey Kent afterall (various attempts previously flopped) and free at that! whats more, we were seated 3rd row from the front – talk about value :p Thanks Chelsia!!

it was a wonderful performance as expected – she had a sweet, lovely voice & a likable personality to boot. some personal faves – bewitched, bothered & bewildered, boy next door & you’ve got a friend.

in the face of great talent, im always in awe - the gorgeous singer, the amazing musician, an insightful artist, a keen photographer, the graceful dancer, a witty blogger, a brilliant chef, etc. besides appreciating & loving every moment of the experience, i almost always wish i could be as gifted, to sing as well, play or write as poetically or dance as beautifully. i wonder if its an innate desire to be revered (horrible sinful nature) or its cos i want so much to be a part of the beauty, the art, believing the best experience of it would only come from being integral in the performance itself. if im honest about it, its got to be abit of both. ive since concluded that not everyone is as talented cos then there is more beauty, preciousness in the talent that exist around us. those who cant act, appreciate those who can! those who cant dance, admire those who can! we all have a role to play in the great tapestry of life & beauty :)

this ties to my main point (gasp! not yet main pt?!) the lesson on contentment has been building up lately & it kinda climaxed with Chris' sermon yesterday. though the sermon touched mainly on materialism, being contented & responsibly handling the material blessings God has given us, think God reminded me contentment also applies to other things closer to heart. one of which being contentment with the talents that He's given me.

its a tough ball this one. cos inadvertently i admire & hold in higher esteem some gifts over others. like i think some gifts are just more useful than others (which we know isn't true cos all play diff roles but all are valuable in the Body of Christ, 1 Corin 12). at the heart of it, i just really want to be useful to the Body, to add value (corporate term lar) as it were to others' lives, to be of service, to help them see Jesus more, etc. so i look over my shoulder & admire the gifts that others have & wonder if mine are as useful or good as theirs. stupid rite? yah lor thats why God reminded me again i shouldn't be comparing anything – not bags, clothes, looks, status & definitely not talents. He has made me who I am & being dissatisfied with that is ungodly, immature & does not reflect His goodness, glory as sovereign Maker of all.

realising our value in Him & believing that His plan (which includes who we are, what we are) is perfect is quite liberating & encouraging. hope this truth stays with me throughout this journey!

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postscript: the shadow's (latest) entry seem an apt response to my musing above. artistic expression isnt that essential for us as servants of the gospel... nice perspective.