Gifts

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There was a time when I only identified a gift as something I received on my birthday or Christmas from someone else. They gave you these gifts because they loved or liked you. I think everyone of us can appreciate being a recipient of a gift and the joy it brought us. I know I love giving gifts. I prefer being the giver than the receiver. I love seeing the joy of what I've given in the person receiving it from me.

But the gifts I'm going to be addressing are the ones that are instilled in each of us. You might refer to them as talents that you may possess. Because all of us are different, we each have different gifts. Some that have been identified by me or by others to me are that I am a creative (artist and musically), I'm a listener, I'm an organizer, I'm outgoing, I make people feel comfortable, I keep a clean and nicely decorated home, I can cook, I extend hospitality, I'm a giver, I'm a teacher (of some sort), I can write and spell, and I have a servant's heart -- just to name a few. There are many things that I am not gifted in like math, sports, game strategizing, intense problem solving, memorization, depth perception, . However, I will attempt trying new things just to see if I can do them.

I've been told that if I didn't use the gifts I have been given that I would lose them. I have to be honest there are times when I really have to motivate myself to use my gifts. There have been times when I've been in a group and the person organizing an event will ask people if they know how to do certain things and asks if they would like to volunteer that skill for the cause. There are times when I am ready and willing to help out and then times when I want to slip into the back of someone else. There have been many times at church when I have been prompted by the Holy Spirit to step forward. Once the Holy Spirit gets involved, you don't want to hold back on that gift.

The song This Little Light of Mine always reminds me of sharing one's gifts. This little light of mine. I'm gonna let it shine. Hide it under a bushel, no!! I'm gonna let it shine. So earlier I mentioned that if you don't use your gift, you might lose it. I know if I don't sing for a while, I will have to practice to regain my ability to hold notes and reach notes again. If I don't practice my visual arts, I get stuck doing the same thing over and over in a different color. Surely practicing a musical instrument is necessary or you will forget what you have learned. If you slack on serving, it gets easier not to. So I guess in a sense you can lose your gift by your own doing. I think once God instills a gift in you, you pretty much own it for the duration. 

If you are wondering what your gifts are and want to identify them, there are tests and such that you can take to figure it out or you can just kindly ask those around you to share what they think your gifts might be. The best ones to ask are close friends, coworkers, and family who know you. Maybe there are some gifts you don't know you have, because you haven't tried them yet. I know I didn't know I could sing, until someone asked me to. I didn't know I was an artist until I was asked by a teacher to create something. Some gifts come at different times in your life. Life events sometimes bring your gifts to the forefront.

I also want to share that there are Spiritual Gifts -- Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith, Healing, Miracles, Prophecy, Discernment, Administration, Apostleship, Mercy, Service, Speaking, Teaching to name a few. I have a strong discernment gift now, but not when I was younger. I've always loved to serve in church and also hospitality in my home. I've been used in ministry to teach as well.

There are some things you might be able to do really well with a lot of effort, so those might not necessarily be gifts, but making an effort and putting yourself out there to learn is just as good. I'd say if you have certain gifts, they more than likely have come pretty easy for you. 

"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them. If prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith or ministry, let us use it in our ministering, he who teaches, in teaching, he who exhorts, in exhortation, he who gives, with liberality, he who leads with diligence, he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness." Romans 12:6-8 (NKJV)




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