As everyone has received a gift, even so serve one another with it,
as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. – 1 Peter 4:10 (MEV)
As a child, there was nothing more thrilling than watching Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Christmas time, a story I later discovered was written by a Montgomery Ward employee for his daughter and given out as a promotion in 1939. There is no talk of Jesus in it. And yet, like Rudolph’s bright shiny nose, this Claymation story about Santa’s reindeer and quest to save Christmas spoke to my heart. Years later, as a follower of Christ and mother of two, I still love this story.
UNLIKELY HEROES
When I was six, my sister and I found incriminating evidence in the closet before Christmas that suggested the great bearded one may not be what he seemed. So, I did not fall for the story of Rudolph as true. What I fell for was the truth it held about unlikely heroes. How each one of us can make a difference. Rudolph was made fun of by the other reindeer for his different nose that even his parents tried to hide. His gift was deemed a nuisance until the day the big guy needed Rudolph’s light to lead the sleigh and save the day. Inside Santa’s workshop, Hermey the elf was obediently making toys like all the other elves, but secretly longing to be a dentist. Daring to be different. As a creative introverted child, I related to them both.
Seeing Rudolph and Hermey, these misfits gifted with traits and desires that made them unique, resonated deeply with me. In fact, when Rudolph and his friends visit the Land of Misfit Toys, even now, it makes my heart ache, and I want to rescue them all. Whether we’re physically, mentally or emotionally different, it can increase a sense of loneliness. When we realize we each have unique crosses to bear, it helps us come together in community and compassion.
MANIFOLD GRACE
Jesus was rejected in this world by the Pharisees and even his own people. Today, he is still rejected by many, and yet for those who believe that he is the Son of God, gave his life for our sins, and was resurrected, they will be given life, truly. And he has uniquely gifted each of us with passions and talents for his purposes.
Often, our belief in Jesus makes us stand out from the crowd. We may end up hiding away our talents so we don’t seem like misfits. But Jesus tells us he has chosen us. We are not to fit in.
As a believer all these years later, these truths help me reach out to other creatives as an art teacher, and recently in starting Manifold Creative Arts Ministry at Seacoast, a gathering for the gifted to be encouraged and inspired. I leave each Saturday afterward a little braver and a little more encouraged to use the unique gifts I’ve been given through God’s manifold grace to make a difference in this world and to bring glory to his name.
Reflect: Are there unique gifts, passions and experiences you have hidden away that you could resurrect and steward to minister to others and bring glory to Jesus?
