Today I have a new perspective on our spiritual gifts; the natural abilities granted to us by God. According to Romans 12:1-8 these gifts are intended to be used by Believers in the worship offering of their bodies-as living sacrifices-to the Lord.
"Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 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; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully," (Romans 12:1-8).
So we know that each of us has been given gifts by the Lord. Yet, I notice that the gifts mentioned in scripture do not pertain to anything we can obtain by our own efforts, rather they are woven in our nature. Oswald's message today states; "The call of God is an expression of His nature; the service which results in my life is suited to me and is an expression of my nature," (Jan 17). The spirit compelled to encourage should encourage, the spirit lead to teach ought to do so, and so on. This sounds simple enough...right?
The association of sacrifice with spiritual gifts has always brought a cloud of guilt with them for me. Since a believer, I have been encouraged and sometimes pressured to use my abilities in various ways. Well intended individuals sometimes use the "gifts card" like a cattle prod to fulfill their needs in ministry. This is so dangerous in kingdom work, truly just because you can doesn't mean you should. Stepping out of God's will, even in service, can bring less than God's best in consequences. I've learned to never respond upon request. I must take it to the Lord. When I have sought His desire, and feel sure of a "yes" or a "no", I accept or decline.
This is especially hard when you have a gift that can be used in the body of Christ that appears to be less common like...laying on of hands, playing the harp...even harvesting honey from a hive. Yet, for whatever reason, you are not led to use the gift at that time for that purpose. Sometimes, the void is part of God's bigger plan. I have wrestled with this at times when I have said, "No," to opportunities to serve at church or in the community. The peace that follows the proper response is our confirmation we've made the right decision.
Yet, turning these scriptures over in my head today, have given me a fresh perspective. The word "gift" was tripping me up. God gave me abilities that I should use in the church. Pressure! I have gifts to use in the home as well; wash dishes, fold clothes, organize a stocked pantry.(I truly dislike doing laundry.)
Then it dawned on me. God gave me "gifts!" That meant they were meant for ME! Looking back over the areas I have served in the body a smile broke out over my face. I have been blessed to serve God in the areas that I am PASSIONATE about: studying God's word, writing, theater, decorating, painting and more! God in His goodness, knew hearts devoted to Him would long to give back as an expression of love. Thereby, He gave me passions linked to abilities so my worshipful "offering of my body as a living sacrifice," would be joyful and wonderfully satisfying for me.
A friend comes to mind as I ponder this insight. For several years now he has been training dogs to aid in rescuing others. This has been more than a job, it has become a passion of his. Today, he is part of a rescue team actively serving in Haiti. The desire of his heart to help and save others through the use of his canine partners is being fulfilled. While some of us would step back from such a chance, our friend seeks such opportunities with joy.
How about you? Are you simply filling a need or are you expressing your nature in your area of service? God intends us to have joy in the receiving and serving.
Oswald's teaching proved to be a gift itself today.
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