Smores, Tents & Spiritual Gifts
We recently enjoyed a weekend of camping with our group. Picture 4 campers, 11 adults, and 17 children. Some might call that torture, but what a joy it was for me to be in nature with those I love! Just spending time together was priceless.
I was reading about using our gifts, in 1 Corinthians this week. Our camping trip was a perfect display of gifts. You either got the gift of being “outdoorsy” or you don’t. Wes and Gus were in their element in nature, and I felt like we were in good hands as long as they were around. Then we had those who clearly didn’t belong camping. You’re either a camper, or you’re not.
Sometimes, as Christians who have been gifted with the Holy Spirit, I think we have that same attitude. ”I just don’t have that giftedness.” ”God just didn’t give me that gift.” ”She can go ahead and do that because that is not my giftedness.” But, I believe, God gives to us freely, as He sees fit. If there is a need, He will gift us to meet it. He is searching for those who are willing.
1 Corinthians clearly shares that if we are not using our gifts to encourage and uplift the church, making it effective for reaching others, then what do we have gifts for?
He didn’t give them to us for ourselves to enjoy. Or even just for our friends to enjoy. He gave us gifts to offer to others. I do not want to live this life status quo, sitting in church most Sundays and serving when it is convenient for me. 1 Corinthians 15:58 says, “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” Ask God to grant you the gifts you need to serve Him with all your heart and bring Him the glory He deserves. Don’t sit around waiting for someone else with “that giftedness” to do it.
Brooke Williams writes, serves, and makes disciples in Florida with her husband, Brian, and her church, Heritage Community Church, as she spiritually invests in their two children, Ainsley & Braxton.
