Yes you could have more than one so (gifts) (Be warned this one is long - necessary)
I still remember the first time the feeling of sheer elation I had when someone commented on my writing, I mean something I came up with, not a great share or anything but my own words – just me – I did it – I wrote it and somebody thinks it’s good… Over the course of a year after this comment I was blessed with more comments accolades about my writing. Someone even said, You should write a book. I brushed that off thinking oh not me. The thing is, Why NOT me? Why can’t I? What is stopping me? Do I have the talent? Do I have the time? Do I have material? In all those questions, the answer is yes, I feel like I can, the talent part is sometimes in question but overall – Yes I can! I submitted my manuscript - I did not get self published my first try because they wanted me to pay to self publishing to the tune of $3000, this was deflating to me but I know that I know that I know my God given gift is encouragement. This has me thinking about gifts, the writing is a tool to put encouragement out there in the atmosphere. It took me several years of seeking to figure out that this was my gift. It’s pretty funny because at first when I became a small group leader I just was convinced that being a small group leader was my calling, that’s it. I laugh now when I think about feeling that way because it was just a chapter in my life – not my lifetime. I was not looking at the big picture. Being a small group leader was an outright extremely satisfying thing for me to do. What a huge labor of love for me. Oh sometimes it had moments when it was no fun but to be able to love on people and press in to God alongside some great people was so phenomenal – partnership – I helped them and they helped me. Years down the road some of my greatest friends came from those groups.
Once that season in my life was over I was left seeking “what’s next” and where would I fit and if not being a small group leader then what is my gift? I needed to pray about this and really consider this question. What is my spiritual gift? Do I have more than one? How do I go about finding it out? I think the answer is or was where it always had been but I was not seeing it for myself. It took some time for me to see the answer for myself. I was not seeing the forest through the trees – as they say.
So many times I feel sure this happens to everyone, not just me but we know the answer. It just isn’t making itself obvious enough that we go “OH YEA”. Could be a block of sorts where we just deny what the answer is. I think for me it was just overthinking. Over analyzing and not stopping and asking God for the clarification I needed. When I did stop and ask the answer became very apparent.
Ephesians 3:20 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us
Let’s start with – His power that is at work within us. Wow, I have power from God, I have something that is mine – originally a gift from God that I can use to benefit other people. What a blessing. Where did this come from? From Him who is able to do immeasurably – stop there, that means what He is able to do has no limit, you cannot measure it, you cannot even imagine what He can do – its beyond comprehension. When we ask (pray) we know God has the ability to answer our prayers and then some, then more on top of that and just because He can even more added, extra, increased, innumerable. Like with NO END, there is no end to what He can do.
So here is the question for you all out there… What is (are) your spiritual gifts? What did God give you that He wants you to use for the greater good? (When looking up these scriptures below, of course I used biblegateway.com but I also used the amplified version of the Bible so you can see today’s language. This version adds in extra language usually in (parenthesis) to help with the explanation.
Here are some scriptures to help you maybe figure out those gifts.
Romans 12: Dedicated Service 12 [a]Therefore I urge you, [b]brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be [c]transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]. 3 For by the grace [of God] given to me I say to everyone of you not to think more highly of himself [and of his importance and ability] than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has apportioned to each a degree of faith [and a purpose designed for service]. 4 For just as in one [physical] body we have many parts, and these parts do not all have the same function or special use, 5 so we, who are many, are [nevertheless just] one body in Christ, and individually [we are] parts one of another [mutually dependent on each other]. 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them accordingly: if [someone has the gift of] prophecy, [let him speak a new message from God to His people] in proportion to the faith possessed; 7 if service, in the act of serving; or he who teaches, in the act of teaching; 8 or he who encourages, in the act of encouragement; he who gives, with generosity; he who leads, [d]with diligence; he who shows mercy [in caring for others], with cheerfulness. 9 Love is to be sincere and active [the real thing—without guile and hypocrisy]. Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], give preference to one another in honor; 11 never lagging behind in diligence; aglow in the Spirit, enthusiastically serving the Lord; 12 constantly rejoicing in hope [because of our confidence in Christ], steadfast and patient in distress, devoted to prayer [continually seeking wisdom, guidance, and strength], 13 contributing to the needs of God’s people, pursuing [the practice of] hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you [who cause you harm or hardship]; bless and do not curse [them]. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others’ joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others’ grief]. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty [conceited, self-important, exclusive], but associate with humble people [those with a realistic self-view]. Do not overestimate yourself. 17 Never repay anyone evil for evil. Take thought for what is right and gracious and proper in the sight of everyone. 18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for God’s wrath [and His judicial righteousness]; for it is written [in Scripture], “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for by doing this you will heap [e]burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome and conquered by evil, but overcome evil with good.
1 Corinthians 12 The Use of Spiritual Gifts
12 Now about the spiritual gifts [the special endowments given by the Holy Spirit], brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led off after speechless idols; however you were led off [whether by impulse or habit]. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one speaking by the [power and influence of the] Spirit of God can say, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is [my] Lord,” except by [the power and influence of] the Holy Spirit. 4 Now there are [distinctive] varieties of spiritual gifts [special abilities given by the grace and extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit operating in believers], but it is the same Spirit [who grants them and empowers believers]. 5 And there are [distinctive] varieties of ministries and service, but it is the same Lord [who is served]. 6 And there are [distinctive] ways of working [to accomplish things], but it is the same God who produces all things in all believers [inspiring, energizing, and empowering them]. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit [the spiritual illumination and the enabling of the Holy Spirit] for the common good. 8 To one is given through the [Holy] Spirit [the power to speak] the message of wisdom, and to another [the power to express] the word of knowledge and understanding according to the same Spirit; 9 to another [wonder-working] faith [is given] by the same [Holy] Spirit, and to another the [extraordinary] gifts of healings by the one Spirit; 10 and to another the working of [a]miracles, and to another prophecy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people], and to another discernment of spirits [the ability to distinguish sound, godly doctrine from the deceptive doctrine of man-made religions and cults], to another various kinds of [unknown] tongues, and to another interpretation of tongues. 11 All these things [the gifts, the achievements, the abilities, the empowering] are brought about by one and the same [Holy] Spirit, distributing to each one individually just as He chooses. 12 For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, form [only] one body, so [b]it is with Christ. 13 For by one [Holy] Spirit we were all baptized into one body, [spiritually transformed—united together] whether Jews or Greeks (Gentiles), slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one [Holy] Spirit [since the same Holy Spirit fills each life]. 14 For the [human] body does not consist of one part, but of many [limbs and organs]. 15 If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” is it not on the contrary still a part of the body? 16 If the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” is it not on the contrary still a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole [body] were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now [as things really are], God has placed and arranged the parts in the body, each one of them, just as He willed and saw fit [with the best balance of function]. 19 If they all were a single organ, where would [the rest of] the body be? 20 But now [as things really are] there are many parts [different limbs and organs], but a single body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 But quite the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are [absolutely] necessary; 23 and as for those parts of the body which we consider less honorable, these we treat with greater honor; and our less presentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 while our more presentable parts do not require it. But God has combined the [whole] body, giving greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 so that there would be no division or discord in the body [that is, lack of adaptation of the parts to each other], but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the parts share the suffering; if one member is honored, all rejoice with it. 27 Now you [collectively] are Christ’s body, and individually [you are] members of it [each with his own special purpose and function]. 28 So God has appointed and placed in the church [for His own use]: first apostles [chosen by Christ], second prophets [those who foretell the future, those who speak a new message from God to the people], third teachers, then those who work miracles, then those with the gifts of healings, the helpers, the administrators, and speakers in various kinds of [unknown] tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire and strive for the greater gifts [if acquiring them is going to be your goal]. And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one of the choicest graces and the highest of them all: unselfish love].
I especially like this line - one of the choicest graces and the highest of them all: unselfish love.
It means loving without having a reason to love. Love to love. Jesus loved all. He lunched with tax collectors and people who were not Faith Scholars and when people questioned Him about why – He answered with love – you don’t bring a well person to the doctor.
So, think on that spiritual gift and if you already know it – great – if not ponder on that and determine what it is. Next step – what are you going to do with it? if you already use that gift try to think of a new and exciting way to use it.
Discernment is on here and I recall giving this one lots of thought in my early faith life. I had many conversations with people I deemed “discoursing” and was trying to glean from them the secret to having it. One person told me I did have it – I was the only person that did not see it in myself. That’s what I mean by blocking, we don’t see these gifts in ourselves until we get out of our own way. So are you in the way of a wonderful blessing that you could share with many others?
If you have one of these gifts, wouldn’t you feel compelled to share it with people you love? I think so too. Wouldn’t you also want to share it with people you barely know? Hmm, that one requires some thought but consider this – you might just be a tremendous blessing to someone who really needs one. You never know how much what you say might reach someone who needs it. Don’t you believe God would work that out for the person who needed it? I think He certainly would.
Happens to me lots. I need a good word and like I ordered it from the menu – here it is. All served up for me. Not all the time do I get what I want and I know why – because my want may not be God’s best for me so I have to wait for His timing and His answer.
Dear Heavenly Father, for those reading this and those interested in using those God given gifts please allow them to see what You have for them and how You want it used. Give them some creative ways to use these gifts and lead us so we don’t ever forget to be thankful for them. In Jesus Name -Amen