By Grace Through Faith

As humans, we are so similar to each other in many ways. One of which is that we are all made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). We are all sinners, and we are all given the gift to follow Jesus for eternity (Romans 5:8).

Yet, we also have many things that set us apart from one another. We all have our strengths and our weaknesses. Some of our strengths or skillsets may be similar to others. And some may be very different. You may be amazing at one thing that you’re best friend isn’t great at. And vice versa. However, we are each given different strengths in our lives to pursue and use them to serve others.

We all can have many different gifts as well. Maybe you find your strengths in different areas of your life and you turn them into hobbies or a career focus or a role in your community. I think what’s important to capture with the gifts that we have is that they are indeed gifts. They were given to us by the Lord.

Picture yourself receiving a gift from someone at Christmas. Maybe it’s a new sweater, a new pair of tennis shoes, or a new set of pots and pans for your kitchen. As you use the items over time, you may often remember who gifted you the item each time you use it. It makes it more special when you know someone loved you well and gave you something useful to use in your life, rather than having to buy it on your own time or money. Similarly, our spiritual gifts are given to us to use and to remember the Lord when using them.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. – 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 ESV

Our gifts that we have are there to direct our lives, guide us to love those we come into contact with in our lives, and give the glory to God.

Maybe, you don’t know what gifts you have. Or you’re questioning your purpose in how to serve the Lord with the season of life you find yourself in. I want you to think upon a few questions to guide you in finding your gifts and in prayer, spend time with the Lord to ask for clarity on seeing what gifts you do have to offer:

1. What do you enjoy doing? What are your hobbies?
2. What interests you? What topics are you passionate about?
3. What do you do well at? What are your strengths?
4. What type or population of people do you enjoy talking to?
5. If you could imagine yourself serving for the Lord, what would that look like? (can be a big dream or small dreams that you have!)

Let’s devote our lifestyles, our gifts, our talents, our words, and our actions to serving on behalf of the Lord who provides us more than we need. Our blessings come from Him, and we can rejoice in His goodness today!

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. – Colossians 3:23-24 ESV

With love,

Claire