“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17
We are all children of God. God created us all in His image to help grow His kingdom. We are to spread the good news of the gospel to as many as we can and get the name of our Lord known. In order to do this, He created us each with gifts. Romans 12:6 says “In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.” Reading through Scriptures, there are many gifts, including wisdom, faith, teaching, discernment, service, mercy, hospitality, administration, and encouragement.
When we discover which of these God-given gifts we possess, we can then learn how to use them for the betterment of those around us. We can learn to use them for His glory. Our different gifts work together for the goodness of God like the different parts of a human body work together to keep someone functioning.
Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?
But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”
I Corinthians 12:14-21
So, how do we discover what God has made us good at?
- Pray. We are able to go to our Father in prayer about anything and everything. The Holy Spirit will guide us and show us how to use our gifts.
- Ask Others. We are able to see the qualities of others much easier than we are able to see them of ourselves.
- Seek What You Enjoy. When you enjoy something, it is because it is of interest to you and you are typically good at it. That can also lead to it being a gift God has strengthened you with.
- Practice. Practice using those gifts. We can’t expect to understand them perfectly overnight. We need to learn to be the most efficient with our gifts in order to best serve our God. This can also be done in your church or with local believers. There are many ways to practice!
Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for everything that you have done for me and continue to do for me. I pray that I would seek the gift you have blessed me with and the knowledge to best use that gift for You and Your Kingdom. You are Most High. We are Your children, the many parts of Your Kingdom working together for Your glory. Help me and help us to best serve you in the years to come. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.