Well it happened yesterday, the Governor of Illinois extended the “Stay at Home Order” for another month. While I’m not surprised, I must admit a groan of disappointment came out of me. What I have especially missed is the meeting together of fellow Believers at Church…and from many conversations with others, I know this is a common feeling. That’s because we are all living stones being built into a Spiritual house called the Church (I Peter 2:5)…but right now the Church as we know it cannot be together…so what do we do? Many weeks ago as I encouraged friends to reach out from their homes using their gifts, talents, and passions, I called it their “Quarantine Ministry” A way of practicing hospitality and works of charity from their homes using what the Lord has given them…their gifts, talents, and passions. And I can only praise God as I watched these friends use what they do well to benefit others! We may be isolating for another 30 days, but that doesn’t mean our acts of generosity should be affected. For God’s work knows no bounds…and helping others is a beautiful act of praising His Name.
Tag: gifts talents passions
I Corinthians 12:7 ” Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”
The Holy Spirit not only sovereignly assigns Spiritual gifts to each Believer, but also empowers their use by providing the strength, skill, and means to exercise them. So you may ask yourself, “But I don’t know what my Spiritual gifts are.” It’s pretty simple. What areas are you talented in and what are you passionate about? Your gifts will always follow along those avenues. But more importantly, your Spiritual gifts are not for your personal edification alone…they were given to you to build up the body of Christ – the Church – as works of service for others.
II Chronicles 6:7-9 ” My father David had it in his heart to build a temple for the Name of the Lord, the God of Israel. But the Lord said to my father, David, ‘Because it was in your heart to build a temple for My Name, you did well to have this in your heart. Nevertheless, you are not the one to build the temple, but your son, who is your own flesh and blood – he is the one who will build the temple for My name.’ “
Just because you have a desire and passion for something doesn’t mean you’re the one to accomplish it. David was one of Israel’s most famous kings, and the Lord had laid on his heart the desire to build a temple…a permanent place for the glory of the Lord to dwell. But God had different plans for him. I Chronicles 28:3 says, “But God said to me, ‘You are not to build a house for My Name, because you are a warrior and have shed blood.’ ” David was a man of war, where his son Solomon, the successor to his throne, was a man of peace. Now David might have felt he needed to be the one to build the temple, but he didn’t argue with God. He then understood that his job was to do the preliminary planning…and before he died, David had procured and amassed many of the building materials needed so that his son Solomon could then start the project. For many of us, we’re God’s preliminary planners…we have God’s vision and the passion for the task at hand. But our job is that of prayer and intercession…for God has in mind someone else to fulfill the mission.
Romans 12:6 ” We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.”
God’s free expression of His loving kindness is shown us when the Holy Spirit imparts unique gifts to each one of us…not for our benefit, but to edify others. These spiritual gifts follow closely along the lines of our character and personality…the distinctive things that make us who we are. The Holy Spirit gives varies gifts to different people according to His divine plan and purpose in their lives. We all have different gift combinations, but they all are given us that we may serve others.
Ecclesiastes 11:6 ” Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.”
What are you talented in? What do you have a natural, creative aptitude for? But more importantly, just how did you find out you had a flair or knack for this talent? You had to try your hand at it! We all have hidden talents just waiting to be discovered by us…we just need to be brave enough to try something new and different. Our life here on earth is fleeting, so while we have the opportunity, we need to strive for our ultimate purpose in life. God’s plan and purpose for us involves using our gifts, talents, and passions all rolled together for His glory. But you’ll never know what you’re talented in unless you try first.
We’ve got to live: Mindfully of His plan.
In Philippians 2:13 it says, “For it is God Who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” The Lord has a specific plan and purpose for each one of us. He takes our gifts, talents, and passions…which are totally unique to just us, and executes a perfect plan for our life. Our job is to be ever cognizant of His leading, listening to that still small voice, and following the path laid out before us.
Safetypinlove 