Day 38 - There Is a Gift for You

The Spirit gives us gifts–each one of us—that bless the Body.

Have you noticed that some people sing a whole lot better than other people? And have you ever noticed that some people are just gifted athletically, and some are not? And surely you’ve noticed that there are some people who aren’t bothered in the least about getting up in front of large groups of people and speaking. From time to time, we may wish we were as gifted as another person in a specific area. At that point, we’re usually either motivated to improve ourselves or we accept our own limitation and move on.

In Galatians 5:25, we are called to “keep in step” with the Spirit. But in the same context, Paul is also warning the Galatians to beware of conceit, provoking each other and envying each other. How does the Holy Spirit fit into this picture? When we live a life in step with the Holy Spirit, He gives us whatever gifts He sees fit for us to have and use. Open your Bible and take a look at 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. The spiritual gifts given to each person by the Holy Spirit are special abilities that are to be used to minister to the needs of the body of believers. There are many gifts, people have different gifts, some people have more than one gift, and one gift is not superior to another. All spiritual gifts come from the Holy Spirit, and their purpose is to build up Christ’s body, the church (Life Application Bible).

The Life Application Bible notes point this out: The Holy Spirit decides which gifts each believer should have. We are responsible to use and sharpen our gifts, but we can take no credit for what God has freely given us. We need to remember these two central points: 1) Properly used, spiritual gifts are not self-serving but serve the whole body of Christ [see verse 7], and 2) Each gift becomes practically useless when used without love. As we seek to identify, utilize, and develop the gifts God has given us, we need to make loving God and loving our fellow Christians our highest motives.

Just as the wind catches the open sail and moves the boat across the water, the wind that is the Holy Spirit can fill us with a gift or gifts to bless those around us and move our vessels—our lives—as a blessing to others. When viewed through this lens, I can cherish my own gifts, overcome my envy of others, and actually rejoice when someone else exercises their gift(s).

The Holy Spirit has given you gifts for the common good, just as He sees fit. Are you open to using them for His purposes and desires?

How can you prepare to be more available and submissive to His will?