Wednesday, November 18, 2026

Bible in a Year Reading Plan: 1 Chronicles 5-9 | 1 Thessalonians 2

Have you ever watched someone do something extraordinary and wondered if they even realize how gifted they are? 

Sometimes, the people around us carry incredible wisdom, creativity, leadership, or compassion, yet their gifts go unnoticed because no one takes time to recognize them. Other times, we see someone else’s potential but feel threatened by it, wondering whether their success somehow diminishes our own. However, God’s Kingdom was never meant to be a competition. 

In the movie Hidden Figures, we catch a glimpse of the brilliant women whose mathematical gifts helped NASA accomplish extraordinary things. Katherine’s, Mary’s, and Dorothy’s gifts were valuable long before anyone else acknowledged them. Their story reminds us that talent can exist in places others overlook and that recognizing someone’s ability can change more than one person’s future. 

Romans 12:10
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

Honoring others means more than being polite or offering an occasional compliment. It means choosing to recognize the value God has placed in someone else and celebrating their gifts without needing to steal the spotlight for ourselves. 

It’s easy to notice the shortcomings of the people around us. We can quickly identify what someone does wrong, where they fall short, and how they differ from us. But what if we began looking for what God is doing right in them? What if we became people who speak encouragement, open doors for others, and celebrate their victories as sincerely as we celebrate our own? 

We are all called to do different things during our time on earth. We don’t have the same gifts, so we need one another. When we recognize and encourage the gifts of others, we help create space for them to flourish and serve God’s greater purposes. 

Today, look beyond yourself. Who in your life has a gift you have overlooked? Who needs to hear their contribution matters? Don’t keep your encouragement to yourself. Tell them. Celebrate them. Make room for them to grow. 

You don’t have to be the most talented person in the room to make a difference. God might use your willingness to recognize someone else’s gifts, noticing their potential before they see it in themselves. Sometimes, honoring another person’s light is one of the most beautiful ways to reflect God’s. 

Questions: 
When you see someone else’s gifts or success, is your first response celebration, comparison, or something else? Why?

How can you practice honoring others above yourself in your home, workplace, friendships, or church community? 

Next Steps: 
Speak life over someone. Identify one person whose gifts, character, or contributions you admire. Tell them specifically what you appreciate about them and why it matters. 

Practice seeing potential. This week, intentionally look beyond people’s weaknesses or differences and ask God to help you recognize the gifts he has placed within them.

Prayer: 
Heavenly Father, thank you for giving each of us unique gifts and purposes. Forgive me for the times I have compared myself to others or overlooked the gifts you have placed in them. Help me see people through your eyes. Teach me to celebrate others sincerely, encourage those who feel unseen, and make room for others to shine. Remind me that someone else’s gifts do not diminish my own and that we each have a purpose in your kingdom. May my words and actions reflect your love and help others recognize the value you have placed within them. Amen.

Series Theme Verse:

Acts 17:28
“For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’”

Written by Heaven Nash, a regular contributor to the Daily Devotional.