A Gift For Me?

I Cor. 12:1: “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant” (NKJV).

 

Everyone likes gifts. If I’m waiting with a group for a meeting or class to begin and someone walks in with a gift, I automatically ask myself “Oh, a gift for me?” I’ll then come to my senses and realize it’s not my birthday or special occasion—matter of fact, sometimes I won’t even know the person with the gift—but that doesn’t stop me from that split second question . . . “A gift for me?”

 

I know I’m not the only one who does this. Let’s face it, we all like gifts—the prettier the package, the more festive the gift, the better. No matter the size, if we see a wrapped gift with a bow, or a pretty bag full of crisp tissue paper sticking out of the top, we want it.

 

We give gifts for Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers, wedding showers and weddings, and for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day. Some people’s love language is giving gifts and they’ll even give gifts for Easter, St. Patrick’s Day, and Thanksgiving . . . sometimes they don’t even need a reason to give. Then we give gifts to cheer up,  to show someone we love them, or just because. Yes, we love our gifts  . . .  love to buy them, give them, and especially receive them.

 

Did you know God gives each of His children gifts? He does. He gives spiritual gifts.

 

As a young Christian I was ignorant to this fact. I didn’t think I had a spiritual gift to use in the church. I didn’t sing, I didn’t play the piano or organ, I didn’t teach, I didn’t know how to relate to children or teens.  So what did I do? Nothing. I sat back and let everyone else do the work. Sound familiar?

 

Paul said, ” . . . Each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that” (I Cor. 7:7 NKJV).  Yes, every child of God has at least one spiritual gift . . . and each one is important and NEEDED. Now for someone like me who loves a gift . . . this excited me. But I had to take the time to learn what the gifts were and DISCOVER what was mine.

 

How do we discover our gifts?

  • Study and understand the gifts
  • Accept we have a gift
  • Think about our interest
  • Pay attention to what gets us excited
  • Ask “What are my limitations?”
  • Seek confirmation from others
  • Ask “What do I have a burden for?”
  • Take a Spiritual Gift Inventory online

 

So I want to challenge you—

Those who know your gift – ask yourself:

  • Am I using it? Or neglecting it?
  • Am I developing it?
  • Am I serving others with it or myself?

 

Those of you who don’t know:

  • Spend time in God’s Word – studying, praying and asking God to show you.
  • Ask someone who knows you what it may be.
  • Find out more about each gift.

 

God has a special gift for you, one that’s to be used to serve Him and others.

 

“A Gift for Me?” you ask . . .

Absolutely!!!!!

 

Photo courtesy of morguefile.com

Beth Fortune

Beth has a passion for God's Word. Through her writing and speaking she allows the heartbeat of the Father to flow through her words. As an award-winning writer she’s a contributing writer with Christian Devotions and has had stories published in two "Chicken Soup For the Soul Book" Series in addition to other anthologies. Some of her articles have been published in Focus on Family’s "Thriving Family" magazine and Dr. Charles Stanley’s "In Touch" magazine. With a degree in Ornamental Horticulture she loves gardening and enjoys giving gardening talks to churches, schools, and community groups but her real enjoyment comes from sharing God's truths and encouraging others. She and her husband live in Mauldin, SC where they are in a season of caregiving for her father-in-law in the home. A diffiult season, but one in which God continues to show His grace. You can visit her at www.bethfortune.net.

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