Proverbs 18:16A person's gift makes room for him, and leads him before important people.Proverbs Daily is a reader-supported publication. All posts are free, but all donations help spread the message. When you see the word upgrade, you're simply invited to help me make the sacred positively contagious...thank you in advance for becoming a free or paid subscriber.I’ve been blessed to have a rap career that’s spanned over three decades. Earlier in 2025, my group P.I.D. dropped a song called “Steele Gifted” — a milestone marker of rhyming at 50+ years of age. The scripture that inspired it was Proverbs 18:16: “A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great.”In that song, I dropped these bars:Born with the gift / endured storms with the gift / in many forms lifted the gift /Till the gift shifted the span of my width.Let me unpack that real quick.“Born with the gift.”I believe everyone is. We don’t all recognize it early — or even understand it fully — but the gifts we carry are woven into our wiring. Romans 11:29 reminds us that the gifts and callings of God are “without repentance.” God doesn’t renege. He doesn’t revoke. You were born gifted.Then the next line said:“Endured storms with the gift.”Sometimes the very thing that brings blessing also brings burden. Like a lightning rod, the gift attracts friction. Testing. Fire. But those storms root the gift deeper. They teach you to stand. The gift isn’t just for the spotlight — it’s for the survival.Then I said:“In many forms lifted the gift.”That’s about consistency. Whether I was up, down, inspired, or exhausted — I kept lifting the gift. Not for ego, not for applause, but because honoring the gift was bigger than my mood. Lifting the gift shaped me, steadied me, saved me.And then the last part, I said:“Till the gift shifted the span of my width.”This is the punch. The gift makes room. It expands your territory, widens your reach, puts you in spaces your résumé might not. You don’t have to elbow your way in. Let your gift go first.But here’s the tension:Your gift may get you in the room, but only your character can keep you there. “Come on somebody”Talent opens doors. Integrity keeps them from closing.That’s why the real heavy lifting isn’t pushing your way in — it’s letting the gift do its work while you do yours behind the scenes. Developing discipline. Cultivating humility. Growing in integrity. That way, when your gift brings you before greatness, you’ll be grounded enough not to fumble the moment.So let your gift go first — but don’t let it go alone.backbone.PrayerLord, help me resist evil by choosing what gives life.Today’s ChallengeReach out to someone fighting for good—encourage them.Then ask: Where can I show up and resist wrong… by living right?About the AuthorFred Lynch is a creative communicator, author, and Christian Hip Hop pioneer. To learn more about Fred and what he’s up to now…click here or you can find him in all the socials by searching the handle: heyfredlynch📱Experience Proverbs Daily by Subscribing!Ready to receive daily wisdom directly on your phone?Go to proverbsdaily.org for the app or just click that Subscribe button right now!Be Wise and Be Well...peace.Thanks for reading Proverbs Daily! This post is public so feel free to share it.
Get full access to Hey Fred Lynch! at heyfredlynch.substack.com/subscribe
