Missions: Spiritual Gifts

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.  To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by manes of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.  All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11

Discovering our own unique giftedness is an important part of our spiritual growth and faith journey.  Once we begin to see ourselves as God has made us, having gifted us for doing the work of his kingdom, we find purpose and place within that kingdom.  

One quick and fun way to begin thinking about our gifts is by taking a spiritual gifts inventory.  But, these inventories have their limits.  They cannot possibly be an exhaustive list of all of the ways that God gifts us for his work.  And, if they are an inexhaustive list, then we cannot accurately discover all that we were made to be.  Another danger in putting too much credence in this type of inventory is that it can pigeon-hole us into only functioning out of the results and never fully developing the gifts that we have.  If I score low on service but high on exhortation, I run the risk of stepping away from necessary and formative opportunities for service in order to hold out for opportunities for public speaking or preaching.  With that being said, though, for students it is fun and eye-opening to see that God has already given them some gifts that he can use for his glory.  It is empowering to know that God has gifted them for here and now not just for when they are adults who can serve on committees or preach from pulpits.  

This past Sunday, our middle school students were invited to discover what some of their gifts may be.  I encourage you to have conversations with them in the coming days about how God has made them and where God may be leading them to use their gifts.