Writing is therapeutic.... At least I find that it is. Of course for me it's also sporadic. I talk a whole lot more than I write, although when I do write its as long or longer than I talk! Suffice it to say, that I haven't written a post since September. Oh well...I did start several post though.
Thomas and I teach Sunday School to a group of 11th and 12th grade students. Several weeks ago the discussion of spiritual gifts came up during a lesson. These have always intrigued me and for many years I probably misinterpreted them too. I am certainly not claiming to be an expert at all!
About three years ago, shortly after I stopped teaching, Thomas and I took a spiritual gift survey. The only thing I kept in my memory from that survey was that Thomas's number one gift was TEACHING and mine was HOSPITALITY. Huh... it was an aha moment for me.
I had been teaching for several years and obviously I left teaching because I wasn't happy or fulfilled. I dreaded every day. HOSPITALITY? Well that made sense! Let's invite people over more! Let's cook and bake more! Let's talk more! Perfect! Maybe I was doing what I needed to be doing by starting a baking business. I mean it means people and food... in the South that is the description of HOSPITALITY!
But what I should have done was dig a little deeper... so the last few days I have. Spiritual gifts are given to believers in Christ only. That means until you believe in Him who created you He does not bless you with these gifts. Spiritual gifts are not talents or personality traits either. Most believers are also MULTI GIFTED. Hmmm... missed that part and got hung up the first one.
Now to clarify a few things from my perspective as I have read. Do I believe that no one but believers can show hospitality? No, but I do believe that the gift of hospitality from God allows believers to make a spiritual impact on other believers and non believers. I also believe that while spiritual gifts may not be "talents" in and of themselves that if you combine your talents and your spiritual gifts in a purpose filled way that it will make an amazing impact with God. It's also important to note that often times even we as believers elevate some of these gifts over others. That's just not how it works. God blesses us all with different gift so the entire BODY OF CHRIST can work together for Him. They are equally important.
So now that I am looking for more open doors, I am looking more at how God has blessed me. We retook the spiritual gifts survey (a different one but equally good I think) with our Sunday school class the other day. This time I am paying closer attention. Here are my top spiritual gifts:
Hospitality and Exhortation (encouragement) are closely followed by Leadership, Service, and Wisdom. Also very high on the list for me is Giving, Administration, and Discernment.
What does all that mean? Well obviously hospitality, exhortation, leadership, service and wisdom require people.
Hospitality embodies making others feel comfortable and reaching out to others to make them feel valued which goes hand in had with Exhortation also known as Encouragement. This explains my need to feed people, my need to seek out those who look lonely in a crowd, and my need to open my home up so often to those I love. It also doesn't mean that teaching is the wrong occupation for me. Reaching out to students in a classroom atmosphere is incredibly important. It also explains why the kids in my classes often feel very comfortable compared to others classes.
The gift of Exhortation means I have deep seated desire to inspire and encourage others along with providing counseling through actions and words. As a teacher, I was often amazed at how students would just "randomly" share with me. I have always noticed that friends and acquaintances seemed to open up to me about things in their lives. What I didn't realize is that those times were truly appointments by God. He placed me in those situations to be an encouragement to them, to help Him remind them that they are loved by Him, and that He reigns over all.
Leadership... another one that explains so much for me. I am naturally drawn to being in a leadership role. I volunteer, I seek out, and I like to be "in charge". LOL The older I get though the less "in charge" I want to be and the more the role of facilitator is appealing, which apparently is exactly what this spiritual gift is about. Big ideas for God meets big picture meets leading people to work together to accomplish His purposes.
Service or helps....offering others assistance. I can't help but volunteer and jump in where I see a need. One of the reasons I have loved working with Dove is it gave me the ability to feel as if I could serve others. It's why I like teaching Sunday School.... I want to serve and help others. It's why I have a hard time saying no if I feel needed.
Wisdom... WOW! Not how I have ever characterized myself. Solomon was WISE. Older generations are wise. Not me. But yet, Wisdom registered very high on the survey for me. As I looked over the description of "making wise decisions and counseling others with solid advice" I think back over multiple times that I offered advice to others. I am not saying by any means I am always right, but I do remember hearing from others "wow, that makes sense." "That's a good idea." and "I never thought of it that way."
The last couple of years I have begged for God to reveal His Master Plan for my life. Typing that is laughable. I am a planner. I make lists (not as crazy as some list makers I know though). I dream BIG dreams. I set goals. But through all those things I never feel like their is an absolute CLEAR directive from God. You see I find it hard to TRUST Him. No He has never failed me. It's clearly my problem of needing to be in control myself. A friend of mine made this statement just the other day and I cannot tell you how deeply it is resonating with me right now. "I have trust issues with God and He knows that. So that's why He never reveals more than one step at a time to me." In other words, He is giving clear directions but he only slides the paper down the page one line at a time. (It's a teacher thing.) If I see all the directions at once I am bound to race through them and check them off my list without giving them proper attention and preparing myself along the way! I might even say "no, that's not necessary and skip a step". Ugh... hello? If God says do it in this order we probably should!
I believe that everything that God has had me do in my 35 years so far has prepared me for whatever the next step is. He has certainly been preparing me to look at my spiritual gifts in a different manner or at least a closer examination of them.
By the way, Thomas's top gifts were all tied.... Teaching, Wisdom, Faith, and Giving. Followed closely by Pastor/Shepherd, Discernment, Knowledge, Administration, Leadership, and Service. Don't ask him to sing... Music is not on his list! LOL
