We are all created by God with unique gifts, talents, and purposes. As we use those, God-given attributes, we gain new depths to our lives. I strongly believe that the more we use them in every area of life, the more we become the people we were created to be, and accomplish the plans that God has set forth for us.

There can be times in our lives when we retreat into ourselves, and feel lost because we aren’t walking in our gifts or using our talents, but when we wake up to step into them, we come to life again. These talents can be used for worship. Eric Liddell said, ““God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure. ” We can also use our talents to battle in the Spirit and wage war against darkness. Ephesians 6:10-12 says, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” I love the picture of this gorgeous dancer illustrating this verse. She looks powerful and confident as she poses in her choreography and yet, even though she is dancing, the sword and sheild fit readily in her hands. We conquer things in the spiritual realm when we use the gifts that God has given us and allow Him to show us who He created us to be.

The rest of this paragraph of scripture reads, “13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of t