Among the cosmic questions we face is figuring out what we were
created to do in our lives, and how to be who we were created to be. We hope
that in answering these questions, we might find satisfaction and happiness. Of
course, our particular answers may evolve and change over time, as we get to
know better our special gifts and abilities, and sometimes these gifts and
abilities are revealed only when challenges force their way into our lives.
Some of our talents and abilities are earned or received through training.
As time passes we find satisfaction and happiness as we do particular things
well. We see our deepest longings and hopes fulfilled as we use our gifts
effectively to achieve realistic goals.
In using these gifts, we begin to understand that reaching our
potential is more important than reaching some goal or goals we may have
set. If we are successful by the world's standards, but are unfaithful to what
is true for us, and what we think God was looking for from us, then what is the
real achievement in our life?
Each one of us has been given gifts by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 12:3 - 8,
I Corinthians 12:4 - 31, Ephesians 4:7 - 16) We can use these gifts to live in
peace with God's purpose for our lives. As you use and live within these gifts
of God, you will have a sense of doing what you were created to do and of being
who you were created to be.
Knowing about our spiritual gifts helps us to know where to place our time
and energy. We can begin to prioritize our tasks and jobs (no longer overcome by
the thought that everything is of equal importance) to serve God and the
community.
How do we go about discerning and naming the gifts that the Holy Spirit has
set upon each of us? Our gifts are unique to each of us. Because we have
particular gifts, each of these gifts influences the specific ways in which we
respond to God's call in our life. Our particular gifts shape the way we live
our lives. Importantly, spiritual gifts are a call on us by the Holy
Spirit to serve within the community, thus benefiting and strengthening the
church (the Body of Christ) through the deployment of our specific spiritual
gifts. It is by God's grace and love ---- not by anything we do ---- that we
have been given spiritual gifts.
So, let's get specific ---- can you name any of the spiritual gifts?
Commentators have found it useful to divide spiritual gifts into three
categories:
--- "gifts of word" -- what we say
--- "gifts of deed" -- what we do
--- "gifts of sign" -- ways and signs that point to God.
A person may concurrently live out a gift in one, two or all three of these
ways.
For instance, a woman with the gift of evangelism tells a friend about
Jesus (word) as she works at the homeless shelter sorting clothing (deed). A
man with the gift of healing works as a physician's assistant in a hospital
(deed) even as he prays with and comforts a pre-operative patient (sign). You
may have several spiritual gifts. Often gifts inter-connect and complement each
other.
Here are some "gifts of word:"
--- Apostleship - for example, a missionary forming new
Christian
communities
--- Prophecy - prophets are called to instruct, warn, correct
and forecast the
end result
--- Evangelism - communicates the gospel message through word
and deed
--- Pastoring - able to be a spiritual guide,sustaining people
on their journey
--- Teaching - able to clearly explain and effectively apply
the truth of Jesus
--- Encouragement - comes alongside persons to help; works with
the less
able and under-girds people to use and do
their very best
--- Knowledge - ability to stretch beyond the facts and figures
to search,
make sense of, and bring together the teachings
of God for
peoples' lives
--- Wisdom - being in tune with the heart of God
Here are some "gifts of deed:"
--- Assisting - lends a helping hand in times of need
--- Giving - gives freely, with a special measure and delight
to further God's
work in the world
--- Leadership - shares information and power -- enabling those
around
them to realize and accomplish their
goals
--- Compassion - ability to empathize with others, stand in
their shoes, and
then act in ways that help them on their
journey
--- Faith - ability to daily see God's will, coupled with the
confidence to do it
Finally, here are some "gifts of sign:"
--- Discernment - distinguish between truth and error, justice
and injustice,
what is authentic and what is phony
--- Miracles - able to act contrary to natural law or use
natural law in
extraordinary ways
--- Healing - an instrument for the healing of illness and
restoration of a
person's physical, mental and spiritual health
--- Tongues - verbal utterances that praise God but are not
understood by
human ears
--- Interpretation - the ability to translate when a foreign
language is uttered;
interpret the non-linguistic sounds so that
the message
is understood
A spiritual gift is not a natural or acquired talent or ability. We all
have talents and abilities and skills that we have acquired through practice or
that seem to be innate. Spiritual gifts, on the other hand, are given by God to
advance God's earthly work of reaching out to others and building a loving
community of believers in Jesus Christ --- the Body of Christ.
A gift is not necessarily the same as a role or work of ministry. A
spiritual gift is a specific calling upon our lives. How we live out that
calling is seen in the roles and works we undertake.
Do any of the spiritual gifts listed above coincide with gifts you have
identified in your life?
Do any cause you to wonder if you have unrecognized spiritual
gifts?
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These thoughts are brought to you by CPC's Adult Spiritual Development
Team, hoping to encourage you to pursue some personal spiritual growth this
winter at CPC.
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