Gifts from God: Are we using them for His Higher Purposes?

The subject of "Gifts from God" is strongly on my mind and in my heart this morning. Perhaps it's at the forefront of my thinking right now because of a comment my son made yesterday after I read a passage aloud (to myself) about a certain type of gift given from God. From another room my teen was in at the time, he called out: "ALL our gifts come from God."

Indeed, they do!

"⁴Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; ⁵ and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; ⁶ and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. ⁷ To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. ⁸ To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, ⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses." 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

So, this morning, I've been thinking about just how intricate God is with the orchestration and giving of our gifts -- "who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses."

Need an example of how the Master Architect works? Just think about the structure of the body for a moment. Incredibly mind-blowing on one level, but yet simple on another, right? I mean...take care of all of that intricacy, and it will work well. Abuse it, and it will break down. I'm thinking this is the same with our gifts.

Use them to edify the body of Christ, and they will work according to His plan. Don't use them to build up the body of Christ, and then one can't help but wonder if such gifts are merely being used in vain.

"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, you were enticed and led astray to idols that could not speak. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says, 'Let Jesus be cursed!' and no one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit." 1 Corinthians 12:1-3

A writing on ehow.now, says: "Jesus exhibited many of the spiritual gifts, such as the gifts of healing (Matthew 4:23), prophecy (Revelation 19:10), and performing miracles (Acts 2:22). According to the Bible, Jesus said that anyone with faith in him will do the same things that he did, including even greater things (John 14:12). This implies Jesus' authorization of spiritual gifts. Jesus' words were true for many of the apostles, including Paul (Acts 19:11) and Peter (Acts 3:1-10)."

Every so often, I like to pause and evaluate, via communication with my Creator, if I am using what He has given me according to His specific design. Since I absolutely do not want to put my own spin on gifts allotted to me from Him, I strive to make it a point to check in with Him about all of this. "Am I using what I believe are my gifts in the way You designed, Lord?" I often ask. "Does what I do build up the body of Christ?"

"All things are lawful, but not all things are beneficial. All things are lawful, but not all things build up.....do everything for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:23-24, 31.

Those who attend my ZoeHygiea "Strech, Strengthen & Relax" classes know I have a passion for aiming to assist others, through moving the body and relaxing it, to intimately feel the Presence of Christ. The higher purpose of my class is: To feel His presence, and heal in It. Spiritually, this is what has most meaning to me, and I do believe this is one of the ways God has gifted me.

A ZoeHygiea client of mine who is a busy business owner, recently said to me, "You are teaching me to take time to slow down and just sit with God and simply enjoy what He has given me, and that is making such a difference."

During a part of my prayer-and-listening time this morning about this matter, that client's comment came to mind, which I believe God used as an answer to let know me I am using my gifts in a way He designed. The thought gave me watery eyes, another way I believe He communicates and confirms things with me. :-)

Many will agree that we didn't simply get blessed with gifts just to unwrap and use just whatever we feel like it, like the way we operate with many of our material gifts. With His intricate ways, we clearly don't need to be rocket scientists to know that we have been gifted for great purpose and, therefore, need to first seek Him about direction for and application of these gifts.

1 Corinthians 12:27-31, teaches: "²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. ²⁸ And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. ²⁹ Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? ³⁰ Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? ³¹ But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way."

May we walk in our Greater Gifting for His Glory! Here is a wonderful article with a guide to help us determine our spiritual gifts.

In His Love,

Penny