If you were asked to explain what “S.H.A.P.E.” is,
could you do it? From now until our Ministry Fair on February 24th, I
will share an article on each one of the letters in S.H.A.P.E. to remind us and
help us prepare for this special event.
“S” stands for Spiritual Gift. When you are saved,
when you become a believer, a follower of Jesus Christ, God gives you a brand
new purpose for living, a new life purpose. And He never asks you to do
something that He doesn't give you the ability to do. So when He gives
you a new life purpose, He also gives you a spiritual gift or gifts to fulfill
that purpose.
The Bible has a lot to say about spiritual gifts.
There are at least twenty of them listed in Scripture. The Bible says
that every Christian gets at least one gift. It's different from a
natural ability. Everybody has natural abilities. But only
believers have spiritual gifts. They're given by grace -- you don't
earn the gift. It's just God's free gift to you.
Why is it important to know your spiritual gift? Three
reasons:
1. Your gifts show God's
plan for your life. Your spiritual gifts determine how God wants you to
serve Him. If you're gifted in organizing then God wants you to be an
organizer. If your gifted in teaching then you need to be a
teacher. If you're gifted in music then you ought to be a music
person. If you're gifted in reaching non Christians you ought to be an
evangelist. Whatever you're gifted in determines how you're to use your
life for God.
2. Your gifts show you
are important to God. 1 Corinthians 12:27 "All of you form
the one body of Christ and each one is a separate and necessary part of
it." God designed you to make a unique contribution.
You're not gifted by accident. Without you the picture isn't complete.
It's like a jigsaw puzzle with one part missing. It shows that you're
worthy, that you're valuable, you're needed in the body of Christ.
3. Your gifts are the key
to fulfillment in life. Every human being has the desire to
accomplish something, to feel significant, to feel like your life makes an
impact. When you use the spiritual gift that God has given you you're not
only productive, because God's gifted you to do something, but you also enjoy
it. It's fun! You enjoy doing it. Real joy does not come from
making a lot of money. Real joy does not come from having a lot of
pleasure. Real joy does not come from things. Real joy comes from
knowing my life counts, that it matters, that I'm not just taking up
space.
May we discover, develop and share our gifts with each other
for the glory of God and His Kingdom!
