Television…social media…self-help gurus…. There’s no lack of opportunities to hear messages about how we should live our lives. We’re offered advice on everything from strategies to become wealthy to techniques to achieve eternal youth. Even children, in their classrooms, are guided on how they should think and behave to be accepted, popular, and successful in today’s world.
While sound guidance can be beneficial, sometimes it lacks one important aspect: God’s plan for us. For a Christian this is especially significant. God may have plans that differ from those promoted by the secular world. He is less concerned with us accumulating wealth, marrying a trophy spouse, being popular due to our political correctness, and landing a high-status position than He is with us fulfilling the purpose He has for us––and the foundation of God’s purpose for us is our relationship with Him and our willingness to love, glorify, honor, and serve Him. He then will guide us in our unique journey to actualize our purpose.
The Holy Spirit prepares us to serve in the kingdom of Christ by equipping us with spiritual gifts. These spiritual gifts are given to us to enable us to serve and build up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12 ESV). Here’s but a short list of some spiritual gifts that can be used to bless God and others:
Wisdom
Knowledge
Teaching
Administration
Evangelism
Leading
Helping
Hospitality
Mercy
Faith
Healing
Prophecy
Each of us is given different gifts and no one gift is any more important than another. All are needed in the kingdom of Christ.
4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 1 Peter 4:10
English Standard Bible
It is helpful for each of us to consider how we are gifted to serve and to seek opportunities for using our spiritual gifts. Using our giftedness to serve not only aids in fulfilling the mission of the Church, but can offer us personal satisfaction and joy as we serve.