Hello Beloveds, 
Last week, in the context of Love being the most important aspect of our journey through this life, I touched on the different talents each of us possesses and want to press into the specifics of that more in this and letters to come. The Apostle Paul writes to us about Spiritual Gifts. It is so important that we realize how special these talents are. They are different for each of us and exist for a very important reason. They’re given to us by the Holy Spirit to use to bring about the very unique things we are called to do, as individuals and for the whole of humanity, while we are here. Whether we realize it or not, each of us has been designed and called for very specific work that benefits us all and it centers around these gifts bestowed upon us.
The Apostle said:
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All of these are the work of the same Spirit, and He distributes them to each one, just as He determines.” 1 Corinthians 4-11
Concerning the gifts of the Spirit, the Lord does not want us to be uninformed. The gifts cannot be created by us. They are created and birthed in us to use for our Lord. Which, as it turns out, helps us as individuals and as a whole. Because we are in Him. God doesn’t NEED us to do anything. But we worship a God that WANTS us to be all we can be. And that will ultimately serve the grand purpose of what humans were designed for in His great plan. More and more, as I contemplate life in these days of division, I realize how connected we all are. How much we affect one another with our choices. So, it is very important that we learn what our gifts are and very important that we use them. Doing so can heal us and help us heal each other at a time when we all need restoration. The notes within my study Bible point out that, “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. This chapter [1 Corinthians] is not an exhaustive list of spiritual gifts – see Romans 12, Ephesians 4, and parts of 1 Peter 4 for more examples. There are many different gifts, some people have more than one, 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.”
And every gift, big or small, serves purpose. I believe our gifts can impact not only believers but all that we encounter. While we’re here, our job is nothing if not to make the world a better place. Bringing our talents forward is a huge step in that direction. What we find is that doing so serves us first, in the release that comes from bringing forth what is inside of us and, typically, the awareness and wisdom that comes within the process of developing and using our gifts. From there, we serve others by enlightening or entertaining them. Sometimes both. Either way, we make each other more by gifting each other with our gifts.
This subject is on my heart and I hope to spend more time discussing the Spiritual Gifts. Let us never underestimate what they are for, how they are to be used, and where they come from. Let us use them wisely and frequently. We will talk more of this and how to find your own, if you don’t know, as we go forward.
You are beloved to God. Believe that.
Poppa B.