Use It–or Lose It!

“Use it or lose it.”  How often have we heard that axiom?  I have no idea.  But it’s a lot, a lot of times.  Here’s the thing:  I know it to be true.  How?  Because I’ve lost the things I haven’t used.  Sometimes it’s just as simple as something I misplaced.  I was done using my keys, just as an example, and set them down somewhere.  Do you think I could put my hands on them the next time I needed them?  Oh, no!  It’s as if they had the power of locomotion and had crawled off somewhere to hide from me and taunt me. 

 But I had another example today in a different context.  I wanted to get two pieces of clothing mended, and I figured it would only take me fifteen minutes.  Neither of the needed repairs was big or complicated so it shouldn’t take long, or so I figured.  I was, of course, wrong.  I had had a lesson on my spiffy new sewing machine so I figured I knew what I was doing and could sit down and knock out this to-do item in no time at all.  One was a T-shirt that Charlie loves and didn’t want to give up.  My project was a soft, black scarf that had caught on a sharp place and torn a small hole.

 I hadn’t used my machine for several months.  I kept saying, “I need to sit down at the sewing machine and work on that project so I don’t forget how to do what I learned from the instructor.”  But I kept not doing that.  So when I sat down to do my quick little mending project, my fifteen-minutes tops sewing project, I couldn’t even remember how to wind a bobbin.  I had to look at the instruction manual and have Charlie look at it, too.  I did finally get it done, but it was way longer than fifteen minutes, more like 35-45 minutes.  All because I hadn’t kept on sewing and learning the ins and outs of how to use this sewing behemoth.

 I have lots of other stories about not keeping up with the learning, knowledge, effort, or time I’ve invested and so not keeping the skill.  German, anyone?  Spanish?  Crocheting or knitting?  My Bible memory verses?  Balance?  Like physical balance, staying upright-kind-of balance.  I could go on and on.  I’ve lost all kinds of  skills and abilities through disuse.

 What I’m wondering right now is if I might lose some of my spiritual skills or abilities if I don’t use them.  I guess it’s possible.  I will lose some of my spiritual skills or abilities if I don’t make it a point to use them.  It really is use it or lose it across all kinds of fields and possibilities.  So it behooves me to cultivate the Fruit of the Spirit, as listed in Galatians 5:22-23:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control so that the fruit goes bigger, stronger, and more delicious day by day. 

Questions for you:  What are your spiritual gifts?  How are you using them?