Tuesday, January 22, 2008

The Gifts of God.

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. ~ Romans 12:6-8

I believe we have all been given different gifts by God. I believe I know my own gift, as it is something that comes naturally to me, I enjoy doing, and it falls in line with God's word. I don't have to work at this gift and it causes me no struggle (except, at times, I wonder if my timing is correct).

However, I often wonder if God puts it on our heart to actually work toward a gift. This gift would also be enjoyable and fall in line with God's word but may not come naturally. It would be something that needed practice, patience and, for me anyway, a great deal of work. I have a desire for such a gift (I will not mention it here - at least not now) and have had this desire since I was a child. It has never once left me, not even for a moment.

What do you think? Do you think God would lay it on one's heart to work toward a gift or do you think that the gifts God gives He gives immediately and without constraint? Do you think God would plant the seed in one's heart of another gift, one that would not come so immediately and would require quite an effort?

I understand that often times, God calls on us to do something difficult, something we may not realize we have the strength or courage to do. But once we answer that calling, we realize God had instilled within us the gifts and talents to be successful at whatever it is He's called us to do. I'm speaking here of gifts that were already there, we just never realized them.

But the subject of my post is not these hidden, undiscovered gifts. I'm talking about a gift you desire to have but truly know is not there. It's not there naturally and that would require diligence, time, effort and, quite honestly, the swallowing of one's pride.

Do you think God always just hands out His gifts or do you think He would like to see some effort on our part to work toward a desired gift? I'm interested to hear what you have to say.

3 comments:

Rock, Paper, Scissors said...

Talents and gifts are desirable things. It is part of our nature to want to better ourselves. So I don't think it is a matter of whether or not it is a desire in our hearts from God, if it will make us a better or happier person then we should go for it. I believe every person has an unmeasurable potential to achieve their heart's desires and it is simply individual priorities that directs us in cultivation of certain qualities.

Lisa-Marie said...

Do you remember ever having to save your money as a child for something that you really wanted? You know now, that your parents could have just given you the money or toy but they knew that you would appreciate it more if you earned it yourself. I think that God works this same way. He could just give us all that we need, but He lets us accomplish things ourselves.

Laurel said...

Absolutely I believe God puts desires for good gifts in our hearts and lets us work for them. I think that is what life is all about, constant improvement, learning, and growth. And I think that those things are the only things that we will take into the next life. It's like the parable of the talents. One was given some and then multiplied them. I really think that is the whole point.

I think Lisa-Marie is right on the money. God is the best teacher ever, isn't He?