“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” Romans 12:6
This month, the church celebrates the day and begins the season of Pentecost. The word means “50 days.” 50 days, with Easter being day 1. The celebration also coincides with a festival in the Jewish tradition that takes place on the 50th day after the Passover celebration called the “Feast of Weeks”, when the farmers of Israel would present their tithes (of their crops) to God. Christians celebrate the day as the arrival of the Holy Spirit, when the message that Jesus had shared with the world was now given to followers of Jesus to live out. What does that mean? It means that since Jesus is no longer here, we have been called and empowered to share the message of faith, hope and love, and that we will be led and protected by the same Spirit of God that lived inside of Jesus.
Which brings us to the subject of spiritual gifts. You see, as followers of Jesus, we too are given the Holy Spirit to live inside of us. Every Christian is unique and special, with particular gifts to share so that the world may know Jesus, and so that the church can be strengthened and more faithful. Did you know that you have a calling to ministry that only you can accomplish? That is the whole idea behind the concept of spiritual gifts. Jesus talked about it like this: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
How do we discover what our particular gifts may be? It takes looking inside of yourself and discovering who you are on the inside. Are you by nature generous? Do people seem to turn to you when they need encouragement? Can you keep a clear head when everyone around you is panicking? Do people ask you to pray for them a lot? Do you seem to be able to motivate others to action? Can you speak to others in a way that inspires them to grow in their faith? Can you tell the difference between the truth and what is either hype, fluff, or a lie? Do children seem to be magnetically drawn to your smiling face? All of these things are possibilities.
Look inside yourself. Discover not only what you do well, but also find the things that either excite you or break your heart, and there you will find your calling, your gifting. When we all find our spot, our giftedness, amazing God-sized things will happen. Can you see it yet?
“And we. . . are being transformed into Jesus’ image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
In Christ,
Michael
This month, the church celebrates the day and begins the season of Pentecost. The word means “50 days.” 50 days, with Easter being day 1. The celebration also coincides with a festival in the Jewish tradition that takes place on the 50th day after the Passover celebration called the “Feast of Weeks”, when the farmers of Israel would present their tithes (of their crops) to God. Christians celebrate the day as the arrival of the Holy Spirit, when the message that Jesus had shared with the world was now given to followers of Jesus to live out. What does that mean? It means that since Jesus is no longer here, we have been called and empowered to share the message of faith, hope and love, and that we will be led and protected by the same Spirit of God that lived inside of Jesus.
Which brings us to the subject of spiritual gifts. You see, as followers of Jesus, we too are given the Holy Spirit to live inside of us. Every Christian is unique and special, with particular gifts to share so that the world may know Jesus, and so that the church can be strengthened and more faithful. Did you know that you have a calling to ministry that only you can accomplish? That is the whole idea behind the concept of spiritual gifts. Jesus talked about it like this: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
How do we discover what our particular gifts may be? It takes looking inside of yourself and discovering who you are on the inside. Are you by nature generous? Do people seem to turn to you when they need encouragement? Can you keep a clear head when everyone around you is panicking? Do people ask you to pray for them a lot? Do you seem to be able to motivate others to action? Can you speak to others in a way that inspires them to grow in their faith? Can you tell the difference between the truth and what is either hype, fluff, or a lie? Do children seem to be magnetically drawn to your smiling face? All of these things are possibilities.
Look inside yourself. Discover not only what you do well, but also find the things that either excite you or break your heart, and there you will find your calling, your gifting. When we all find our spot, our giftedness, amazing God-sized things will happen. Can you see it yet?
“And we. . . are being transformed into Jesus’ image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
In Christ,
Michael
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