Not Like My Father

Johnson Oatman Jr. admired his father. Johnson Oatman Sr. was a gifted singer at church and an intelligent businessperson. In many ways, Johnson Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps, even working at the family business. But he didn’t have all the same gifts as his father. While he loved music, Johnson Jr. wasn’t quite as good of a singer as his father. But, after several years, Johnson Jr. discovered he could write songs. He wrote songs like “No, Not One,” “Higher Ground,” and “Count Your Blessings.” In fact, Johnson Jr. wrote thousands of songs—many of which are still sung in churches today. Though he didn’t have all the same gifts as his father, Johnson Jr. discovered his talent. God showed him what He wanted him to do, and he did an excellent job, glorifying God in the process. When we are young, we sometimes want to be like our parents. We want to do things they can do. And then we find we cannot do all the things they do. When this happens, we may become discouraged and feel like failures. God, however, knows what we are good at doing. He created us! Talk to the Lord about what your talents and spiritual gifts might be. Then, talk with wise Christians in your life about what talents and spiritual gifts they see in you. In following after God’s voice and listening to His leading, we get the opportunity to serve Jesus and His church in whatever way He wants us to. In Christ, God has an amazing plan for each one of us! • Anna Gregory • Do you enjoy doing things no one in your family does? Do you think these things might be your talents? • Aside from the talents we’re all created with, the Holy Spirit gives Christians special abilities called spiritual gifts—like teaching, encouraging, or serving. What do you think are some of your spiritual gifts? • If you’re not sure what your talents or spiritual gifts are, talk to a trusted Christian friend in your life, such as a pastor, parent, or counselor. For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12 (CSB)

Read Verses:

Proverbs 12:15; Hebrews 10:24-25; James 5:16