“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
Upon entering Wesley Hall your eyes are drawn to the beautiful mosaic of stained-glass windows illuminating the sanctuary with a kaleidoscope of color. I am told if you kneel in certain spots at the altar to pray you can feel the warmth of the light magnified from the glass panels as if the hand of God were resting on your shoulder. I also remember fondly the place where Wesley Hall currently stands. It was a tree-filled space where many youth activities were enjoyed back in the day. Lots of small group discussion shared and prayers lifted in that space as the branches filtered the sunlight and provided a cool shade.
Prophetic vision is a spiritual gift that some folks are blessed with. It is a unique perspective that a few select folks have within any organization but profound in the life of a local church. It sets in motion a shift in perspective and rallies others for the common goal. A dear AUMC couple now residing with the “great cloud of witnesses” gifted us the stained glass panels as the finishing touches to a truly magnificent worship space. Many years earlier they had envisioned a large sanctuary beautifully appointed with works of art from a talented and gifted artist. God gave this special couple the vision to use their own gifts. As fitting for them they gave in honor of their parents. Can you see the vision they had in mind? Look closely. Outstretched arms longing for the New Jerusalem while lifting all praise and glory to “Iesus Hominum Salvator.”
“I have filled him with divine spirit, with ability, intelligence, and knowledge in every kind of craft … and I have given skill to all the skillful, so that they may make all that I have commanded you.”
Exodus 31:3,8 (NRSV)
The purpose of spiritual gifts is to build up, inspire, and support the church. The gifts we are given are according to the full measure of God’s grace. Many are born with what some might call “natural talents,” perhaps passed down from our heritage or DNA. These talents are honed into skills that serve us to live out our lives. When these talents or skills are “repurposed” for the work of Christ we see them flourish into spiritual gifts.
“We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.”
Romans 12:6-8 (NRSV)
At AUMC we have some very musically talented people who use their voices and instruments to lift praise to the Father. We have the pleasure of enjoying these gifts whether they are a melody of voices from the choir, rhythm of drums, strumming of guitars, the delicate tapping of the piano keys or the soulful vibration of the pipe organ. Each of these musically talented AUMCers honed their talent through years of practice. Many will tell you they owe it to the special leaders or mentors who encouraged them to practice their craft. At a worship service last fall, one AUMCer paid tribute to the special church music director who ignited his passion for music as a young man, which blessed his life and in turn our church. When these talents regenerate under the presence of the Holy Spirit as truly spiritual gifts is when our hearts are deeply moved to worship the risen Christ as one body just as Paul shared with us.
“For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.”
Romans 12:4-5 (NRSV)
Through sharing of our “Gifts” we get to see them put into action in a way that impacts lives. These gifts come in the form of time, talent, resources, skills, ingenuity, and diligent work ethic. A vast amount of our time and talent is required to keep the Church moving forward for a congregation of our size.
This past week many of our own AUMCers answered the call to use their sewing skills to make 200 face masks for those in need with many more to come as we are a designated mask drop off site. We do not know who will benefit from this gift, but we can rest assured that it serves God’s purpose for such a time as this.
Do not abate your talents or skills, there is a place for everyone’s gifts in the kingdom of believers. If you wonder what some of your spiritual gifts might be, start with the following: get active and serve somewhere, no matter how small or large an activity. It provides the “giving muscles” some much needed exercise. Invite the Holy Spirit to be part of your life to use your talents/skills to fill spiritual needs in the community. Ask God to use your talent to reveal some opportunities where you can plug in. Seek prayer and discernment from others through their blessing. Look for the fruit of your activity. Are your talents/skills blessing others?
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”
1 Corinthians 12: 4-7 (NRSV)
Take a “spiritual inventory assessment” to reveal some of the areas where God can best use you.
At AUMC we have a “Discipleship Self-Assessment” (found on the “Pathway to Discipleship” banner on our website). This can give you insight as you explore the gifts you possess that will lead to a life of Discipleship. A life of Worship, Hospitality, Presence, Scripture, Prayer, Outreach, Service, and Generosity.
Another way is to take a “Spiritual Gift Assessment.” It is well worth your time so that the immanence of the Holy Spirit can reveal your areas of uniqueness that can be used to further build up others in church and community. These are based on the 20 spiritual gifts that Paul shared in scriptures with the early church and quite befitting today. Knowledge, Serving, Prophecy, Giving, Administration and Teaching to name a few.
But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it is said, “When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive; he gave gifts to his people …to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…”
Ephesians 4: 7-13 (NRSV)
Lest you believe that, “how could God possibly use any of my talents/skills I may have?” Give some credit to God the creator of all who made you in His image. He can take anything from your past whether good or bad for His purpose. Do not be surprised if God uses a painful time or a season of brokenness from your past as the basis of a “spiritual gift” that will serve His community.
“So, if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.”
2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (NRSV)
Hear the good news. Take the time to let God reveal your unique gifts to help start afresh. He has a purpose for each of you, do not deprive God of how he will use you and your gifts. Look closely, it just might make the difference in reaching someone with outstretched arms.
Whose spiritual gifts have impacted your life? What talents, abilities or skills lie dormant within your life that God can repurpose into spiritual gifts for the good of His kingdom?
Peace be with you,
Kenny Shortsleeve, Lay Leader