Mar 21 - "Gifts" The Light and the Dark"

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 -- “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.”

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What is your gift? You think you don’t have one? C’mon...think a little harder. We all have at least one.

The beauty of gifts we received from the Holy Spirit is that they come in so many different forms. And that is a good thing because there are so many different needs for the application of our gifts. Are you good with your hands? Go build a house with Habitat for Humanity. Do you have a talent for sewing or quilting? Make blankets for babies. Are you good at teaching? Volunteer for Junior Achievement or as a Sunday School teacher. Is organizing and coordinating your passion and gift? Believe me...you are needed. I have sat through enough meetings at service organizations and churches over the years, led by people who did NOT have have a gift for coordinating and organizing a meeting or project.

Gifts are meant to be used, not held onto for our own benefit. We all enjoy the feeling of a job well done, when we have applied our particular talent to a situation. This feeling comes, I believe, because we are aligned with God’s plan for us. He bestows these gifts on us with the intention that they be put to the good work of furthering His kingdom here on earth.

But, as we consider these gifts and put them to use, we also have to be careful. Gifts, even those which are applied with the most simple and humble intentions, can be turned to dark purposes. I think my parents would agree that I can pretty much talk my way out of any situation. This gift of persuasion can certainly get me into trouble at times.

When this type of gift is used to convince people of something that may not be altogether true, or an outright lie, the gift becomes a poison. We’ve seen powerful “leaders” throughout history turn this gift to evil intent. We see it in our own country every day, in Washington, D.C. Regardless of political party or belief, the new rule has become disingenuous dialogue, spin and the propagation of half truths. Gifts, when turned to self promotion and dark purposes, become tools of evil.

But the good news is, we more often see gifts put to good use and miraculous impact every day of our lives. We receive the benefit of those around us who offer their gifts to us openly and with love.

So, recognize that you have a gift. Give it to others with joy. Be encouraged that somewhere inside of you, God has planted a seed which He intends to spring forth in beauty.