THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD (SOLEMNITY) OR EASTER WEEKDAY

They were tentmakers by trade. 

After his conversion, Paul’s way of life changed dramatically. He traveled all over the known world preaching the good news. Yet God didn’t throw away the experiences that made Paul who he was. Far from it!

God helped Paul use his prior skills to serve his new apostolic mission. For example, the tentmaking trade he had learned often supported his missionary journeys. His prior study of the Hebrew Scriptures helped him piece together how Christ’s death and resurrection fulfilled God’s promises. God didn’t let any of Paul’s past experiences and skills go to waste!

We might look at our spiritual lives as being quite separate from our skills or hobbies or our occupation. But just as Paul’s tentmaking skills supported his ministry, we never know how something we don’t necessarily consider “spiritual” might be used by the Lord.

For example, at some point, he might use your experience in the kitchen or your knack for accounting to help launch a new ministry. A hobby like drawing or writing might give you the opportunity to share your faith with more people. Or perhaps your profession provides the means to generously support God’s work.

God can use everything we offer him. So don’t discount what you do or enjoy, even if it isn’t obvious to you how it’s contributing to the building of God’s kingdom. Just invite the Lord into your daily activities, and be open to how he might call you to use those skills to make him more present in the world. It really does make a difference to the Lord when we consciously dedicate our hobbies, our plans for the day, or our skill sets to him and let them become a witness of his presence.

If you approach your days in this way, God may lead you in surprising ways. He will never let you waste your talents. As you persevere in faith, discernment, and love, he will help you to direct your past experiences and present gifts—and as much of your life as you’ll let him—toward building his kingdom here on earth.

“St. Paul, pray for me to use my abilities in cooperation with God’s plan.”

Psalm 98:1-4
John 16:16-20
Acts 18:1-8