1 Corinthians 12:4-11
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but they all come from the same Spirit. There are different ways to serve the same Lord, and we can each do different things. Yet the same God works in all of us and helps us in everything we do.
The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others. Some of us can speak with wisdom, while others can speak with knowledge, but these gifts come from the same Spirit. To others the Spirit has given great faith or the power to heal the sick or the power to work mighty miracles. Some of us are prophets, and some of us recognize when God's Spirit is present. Others can speak different kinds of languages, and still others can tell what these languages mean. But it is the Spirit who does all this and decides which gifts to give to each of us.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The last week or so, I’ve been sewing with fabrics in the same color family – a base of black or grey, with hues of deep teal, fuchsia, white, and celadon green. It may sound awful, but it’s really nice fabric. I’ve sewn stripes, “groovy guitars,” zoo animals, various sized circle outlines, mod daisy-like flowers, and polka dots. Now you are probably really thinking I’m nuts! But trust me, all of these fabrics work together in various combinations – with pleasing results!
And that’s the thing… I can combine stripes and guitars or zoo animals… but not stripes and flowers. Zoo animals and guitars don’t work in the same outfit, but they both work great with the stripes or polka dots… and maybe the circles, depending on how I use them. For instance, I made my great-niece Zola a striped dress with a border of guitars… and I made Timothy shorts in both the guitar and stripes fabrics. I made my cousin a sundress in the mod flowers… and her daughter is getting a blouse that has flowers bordered in polka dots!
Each fabric is very different. On the surface, they don’t appear to have much in common. But when I combine them thoughtfully, the end result is something quite surprising and pleasant… and the recipients are blessed by the outcome. All I have to do is stand back, look at the fabrics, and take time to consider how they might work best together… and the ideas begin to flow!
We all have gifts and abilities that may not seem to work well together. But when the Holy Spirit is involved in combining them and orchestrating things, the end result is always a blessing to others – and to God. And often the outcome is quite surprising and pleasant. You may feel you that have no “Spiritual gift,” but I assure you that this is not the case. Maybe you have not opened your heart to the Holy Spirit’s guidance… and maybe He has held your gift in reserve. The Holy Spirit is a gentleman… He will not force Himself upon us. We must invite Him in… and make Him welcome.
Whatever your “Spiritual gifts” may be, it would be such a shame not to receive them – and to use them for God’s glory. I encourage you to step back and look at the “fabrics” of your life and ask the Holy Spirit to show you how they go together. Invite Him to dwell in your heart, and listen for His voice each and every day. Call upon the Holy Spirit to bless you with your Spiritual gifts… and get busy using them. You will be amazed – and delighted – at the outcomes… and so will those who receive a blessing as a result.
©2012 Debbie Robus
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