Using the Gifts God Gives
n the past several years, I’ve been asked numerous times, “What do you feel are your strongest gifts?” or “What gifts has God given you to use in serving Him?” In the last year, I’ve finally become comfortable answering questions like these.
My gifts are Giving and Hospitality.
They both come naturally to me. In fact, they come so naturally that God has shown me I need to moderate myself at times. Why? Because I can’t do all the things and be all the things, all the time.
The Lord has shown me that...
“No” is a complete sentence. I can’t control how others will react to me not “doing” all the time. That’s for God to handle.
Not trying to do everything allows others to step up and use their gifts. Many times, people think, “I’m not needed. They’ve always got it covered.” Backing off is perfectly fine.
Creating boundaries is a good thing. I’ve created boundaries around my personal time with Jesus, Bible study, prayer, and time with and for my husband and family.
It was also hard for me to learn to receive rather than give. Before becoming a member of my church, I attended monthly luncheons for those 60 and older. After becoming a member, I felt the Lord leading me to serve at those luncheons, too.
The difference is that I let the Lord lead me rather than jumping in simply because I could.
There are many ways to serve both inside and outside the church, but I’m learning to wait on God’s leading. Some things are what everyone calls common sense. I call those things being “led by the Holy Spirit.”
Lately, the Lord has been using me in ways I never anticipated, and oh man, what a blessing it’s been and continues to be. The coolest thing is that not a lot of people know I’m doing these things.
But Jesus does.
So, if you’re someone who is unsure what your gifts are, don’t stress about it. Pray and ask the Lord to show you. There may not be an “AHA!” moment. Your gift, or gifts, are probably found in things you already do naturally. You may recognize them by the way people respond to you or by what they say about you.
“Oh, she’s always willing to cook or bake something for events.”
“He’s always giving his time to this project or that one.”
“She’s a great listener and always willing to pray for people whenever they ask.”
Think about it. Pray on it. Praise God for it.
Your gifts are meant to flow through you as the Lord leads.
