Writing a Different Future #9 – Activate Your Gifts
“But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that” (1 Corinthians 7:7).
These spiritual gifts are above and beyond our natural abilities or the exercise of grace gifts that all Christians exercise, such as, faith or wisdom.
Many Christ followers don’t seem to be aware that these gifts are available to them. Perhaps out of fear they are hesitant to activate the spiritual gifts God has given to them.
One way to illustrate spiritual gifts is to look at the appliances in your kitchen. Every appliance lives up to its manufactured specifications, because each appliance is connected to the same power source.
We all have equal potential of living up to our Creator’s specifications, because we’re all plugged into the same source of Christ’s power – the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit expresses himself differently in a variety of ways through different Christ followers. This is where the gifts of the Spirit come in.
Spiritual gifts include gifts of: discernment, evangelism, apostle, exhortation, faith, giving, healing, knowledge, wisdom, leadership, administration, mercy, pastor/shepherd, prophecy, service, tongues, interpretation of tongues, teaching (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28-30; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Peter 4:10-11).
Spiritual gifts are especially needed in building up the Body of Christ and pressing God’s kingdom forward.
You may now be asking, But how do I discover my spiritual gift?
You can begin by asking God to show you what is your spiritual gift. In the meantime, just make yourself available to your church. Do whatever you’re asked to do. Do it for God.
Awareness can often come by reflecting on our feelings and experiences. Noticing our effectiveness or the lack of it. Paying attention to what others are saying.
Where is your passion for God taking you? What do you keep thinking about? What does it look like for you to take another small step?
Explore, examine, evaluate. Above all, continue developing your inner life with God. Always remember that spiritual gifts are not about you. “Fan into flame the gift of God” (2 Timothy 1:6).
~ Pastor Dave
