Oh, the pain and itch of a terrible sunburn! This past Labor Day, my family and I spent the day on the lake boating. We had all spent time in the sun this summer, except for my daughter and her husband who are both fair skinned. Throughout the day, I kept asking them if they wanted to use the sunscreen. Every time I would ask, they would say they used it before leaving the house. Although I continued to ask, and the sunscreen was about 2 feet away from them, they never used it. As you can imagine, they fried! In fact, they were so burnt that they each missed a day’s work—unpaid. They were absolutely miserable. All I could think was that it was such a waste since the sunscreen was right there within reach; they just didn’t use it.

Before I got too self-righteous, I started thinking of all the other areas in life that we have access to things that are beneficial but don’t use them. I thought of all the household tips that are even posted on my website. Many times I just don’t use them. How many times have I forgotten to set the timer on the oven while I was watering outside, only to leave the water on for an extended period of time? Being an avid coupon user, I get really aggravated when I buy something without a coupon, only to find I had one in my notebook that would have saved me money. The same principle applies: You have to use what you have.

And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
—Philippians 4:19

There are also spiritual provisions God gives for us to use. These are for our benefit as well as others. Gifts and talents are just one way the Lord provides for us spiritually. These are given freely and are within our grasp. Hospitality, encouragement, wisdom, and evangelism are a few that seem to be overlooked frequently. Do we use these daily to bring Him honor and glory? The Bible says that if we don’t use the talents He gives us, they will be taken away.

He replied, "I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away." —Luke 19:26

One of the greatest gifts He has given us but the least used is His Word. Here in America, Bibles can be found in abundance. His Word is filled with His promises, His love, and directions for life. How many times do we feel confused or frustrated? The answers are at our disposal, we just don’t always turn to them. It is even more pointless to have the Bible and not use it than it was for my daughter and son-in-law to have sunscreen and not use it.

All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. —2 Tim. 3:16-17

I think it is time for us all to take a look around to see what all is within our reach that we are not using. What are we wasting, and what unnecessary problems are we going through with the answers right in front of us? The Lord will always provide exactly what we need for every situation. We just have to take it and use it.

Copyright © by Susan Sikes