Lately I have been thinking about gifts. Not the type you can buy from a store or the type that somebody gives you but the kind you are born with. You see, ever since I can remember I've wondered what my 'gift' in life is. Or my 'talent'. I've always wanted to be musically inclined, either with a beautiful singing voice or playing the piano or something. I've even wondered why I can't even draw a stick person better than my 3 year old! Or why I don't have the gift of discernment or something eloquent! Lately God has pointed out to me the gift He's given me. It's taken me 30 years to discover that this is a gift and that this is not something that comes easily to all people.
1 Corinthians 12:4, 5
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.
Romans 12:5-7
So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach...
1 Corinthians 12:29-31
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.
Now I know that there are some spiritual gifts that I've had that I've known about, such as encouragement. But it never occurred to me that my organizational habits as I'll call them are a gift. You see, the person who could be a concert pianist as well as a tremendous singer may not have the gift of organization.
In our Bible study we've been talking about this and I've been trying to help some ladies who have other gifts. And then today I was able to encourage a dear older Christian woman who has the gift of music but is really struggling with organization. I don't know why it has taken me so long to see this as a gift! I just assumed I was the way I am because the way my mom raised me or something. I'm just thankful that I can try to help others become more organized.
What is your gift? Are you using it for the Lord?
6 comments:
When we were in college, our His House pastor held a retreat just for us to study spiritual gifts and passions. My tests always said organization/admin with teaching usually coming in second. As a homeschooling mom, I sure use them! ;)
It was great learning about passions too, it really helps to understand why others don't always feel the same degree of passion we do for certain issues.
I remember doing the spiritual gifts tests. I don't remember what exactly my gifts were, but the combination basically boiled down to a behind the scenes person. He mentioned that I would be good at starting churches, getting them off the ground but then leaving to let others run them. It is true, I love to start things, but my follow through isn't always there.
Oh Girl! I can not believe you just figured this out! Gifts come in all sizes and shapes...mine happens to be
wading through 10 foot high piles of laundry without losing my balance. LOL!!
Organization is quite a gift, Jamie! I am trying not to be jealous.lol :) We took the spiritual gifts test at church and it said that I was a mercy. My husband's gift is to be a prophet/to demonstrate justice.lol We are total opposites. How awesome that you shared your gift with another. Thank you for your encouragement.
I have a lot of giftings and talents, however, I sometimes think they're the gifts that don't "count." Like, gifts that would help me be a better wife and homemaker. Instead I'm good at music and singing and creative arts. Lacking in cleaning and organization.
While in Japan a girl from my church who was a clean-freak (she admitted) came over for 6hrs and helped me clean, but didn't just do it for me. She made me do it myself while she helped! It really changed my life and my perception of housecleaning. It also altered my tolerance level for mess.
I was so grateful to her.
Though it did make for an embarrassing moment. Her husband was a low ranking enlisted man on the same ship that my husband was an officer. Not like that mattered to us wives! But anyway, after a 3mo deployment we were all on the pier and her husband got off the ship first. After they greeted she introduced me to him and he knew who's wife I was. I was so humbled and thankful for his wife's help that I wanted to brag on her a little bit for him, but it came out all wrong. I simply gushed, "You're wife scrubbed my floor!!!!"
Ugh! I didn't figure out just how touchy such a comment could be taken without more clarification... but hopefully he took it like a guy and it went way over his head. And praise God my husband was a favored officer because he treated all men with respect, dignity, and fairness. Sheesh!
I will agree that I have ALWAYS been in wonder at your mom's neat and tidy home - not that my mom's wasn't the same but they had differnt styles of doing it! :) And no doubt you home - even with 3 kids - is no less spectacular than hers! :)
My gift would also have to be teaching (like Amie) - though I don't always use it more than at home because I'm too quite to use it elsewhere! :) I do enjoy teaching children at church but haven't done much since we moved away from Michigan.
I've never really looked at my music abilities as a "gift" but several times when others have told me that I sound wonderful when I play my flute I can only say that it must be God changing the tune from my flute to their ears because I honestly don't think I play that wonderfully! And I'm not just being humble...I've never had any training outside band in middle and high school - and that from a teacher that couldn't even PLAY the flute! LOL So I can't see it more than a miracle (or maybe a gift) when people say they enjoy listening to me play!
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