Giftings

Did you ever wonder why God made you the way you are?  Why you have particular gifts that others don’t have?  What you’re supposed to do with those gifts? That’s been my quest of late, trying to figure out how to use those gifts to God’s glory.  But I’m impatient and I want my print-out of what gifts to use where.  God says, “Wait.  I gave you those gifts. I will take you to where you can use those gifts.”  Waiting is hard.  I don’t much like it.  But I’ve found it’s more prudent to wait on God’s direction than to plunge ahead and make my normal mess of things.

The first thing I questioned was exactly what my gifts are.  I know that hospitality isn’t one of them; I do burnt offerings regularly and for that reason few people ask me to cook for them.  I get involved in reading a book or doing research and I forget other people are in the same room with me.  Not very hospitable!  My mother often complains that she can be talking to me and I haven’t heard a word she said.  She’s right.  Whether I’m listening to music or reading a book, once I enter that world, I’m completely captured and I don’t exit unless forced to do so.

I’ve probably taken every spiritual gifts test that exists on the Internet or has been published in a book.  For the most part, they match within a couple of points.  My major gifts line up as:  Exhortation, teaching, knowledge, serving, and faith.  People who are in my church will tell you I have the gift of music; I’m not so sure about that.  I certainly have no musical training though I love to sing.  Hospitality, of course, is at the bottom; I don’t suppose many folks like burnt offerings.

Many would say that being single is a gift; they could be right.  A person who is single has more time to devote to study and reflection.  I’m not sure the gift of being single can stand on its own but it does have a purpose.  Could Paul have visited so many places had he a family to worry about?  Would he have been as effective if he’d had to worry about them being stoned or beaten too?  Some folks hold that it is a sin for a woman to remain single because her entire reason for existence is to marry and have children.  I’m not so sure God would agree with that stance.

I believe God positions his children very carefully so that they may use their gifts appropriately.  Think about missionaries who have been providentially placed in just the right places to bring others to Christ.  Think about your pastor – isn’t he providentially placed to serve your congregation?  Laymen (and women) are no different.  God places them where they can be of the greatest service.  Yes, I said service.  It’s all about serving God and serving others. 

For many years I hesitated to wonder about my gifts.  I was afraid I would find I didn’t have any, or that mine wouldn’t be important enough.  Through a lot of prayer and research I finally understood that all gifts are important and that everyone has at least one, though most have multiple gifts.  I am truly thankful for those who exhibit their gift of hospitality through cooking and hosting get-togethers.  I am grateful to God for a preacher who speaks the words God gives him, who walks the floors of the church waiting on the Spirit to discern what God would have him say.  I don’t happen to have those gifts in abundance.  It’s good that others do; God uses us all if we are willing.

Instead of asking God to outline my gifts and tell me what to do with them, I’ve begun asking him to provide me opportunities that will require their usage.  I can’t simply be ready to use my gifts, I also have to be ready to go where they may be used.  That isn’t always easy.  I’m not sure I want to go to China or even to the next state over.  I have to trust that God will take me where I need to go and that he won’t ask me to do more than I am capable of doing. 

I try to remind myself daily that those whom God calls he also enables.  If God were to ask me to speak in front of thousands, would I obey?  If God were to ask me to wade into troubled waters, would I obey?  All I have to do is be willing and obedient.  God takes care of the rest, whatever that may be.  The point is I have to trust God.  Because it isn’t in my control after all. 

Many of what I consider to be my “natural” talents may fit well with my spiritual gifts.  I have a natural tendency to read and study.  When an idea or a concept intrigues me, I have to know more.  A little knowledge is never enough.  At work I spend a lot of time teaching others how to do things hands-on, turning a boring training session into a real learning opportunity.  I’m good at details, otherwise why would I find federal tax law both challenging and interesting? 

I love to do “crafty” things such as sewing and crocheting.  There is something calming about working with material and threads, watching a row of stitches become a reindeer hat for a two-year-old.  It’s been a joy to teach others how to do those things and watch them discover the value of creating something with your own hands.

God knows about all those things I love to do and he invents ways for me to use them, from sending someone a homemade card to teaching a child how to memorize Scripture.  This year the best Christmas card I received was made by a small child – pink crayon drawings of the manger scene on a piece of white paper.  She said she made it just for me.  What a blessing our gifts can be to others!  And all because our Father God knows just what to do with all those gifts he created in us.