Give Your Gift Away

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work (1 Corinthians 12: 4–6, NLT).

Raise your hand if you have a birthday around a holiday. Yeah, me too! My twin brother and I came into the world around 4:00 a.m. the day after Christmas. So, in addition to the challenge of taking home twins, unexpectedly, I might add, was the beginning of the adventure that is celebrating Christmas and a birthday when they fall on back-to-back days. Though our birthday comes on the heels of Christmas, we never missed celebrating my brother and me, and for that, I’m thankful.

A friend of mine has three kids, twin girls and a boy born a year later, who have the same birthday right around Thanksgiving. Another friend’s birthday falls on New Year’s Day. Yet another celebrates his birthday on Valentine’s Day. Holiday birthdays can be a challenge when it comes to figuring out how to celebrate both and make the days special.

I have one friend, whom I’ve only known for a relatively short time, that has a special gift of caring for others. Over the past couple of years as our friendship has grown, I’ve come to understand how gifted she is when it comes to making folks feel special or cared for, especially the ones that are most dear to her heart. She does it so well. So, when she walked into my house on the evening of my birthday this past year with one of my favorite meals, Oreo ice cream cake, and balloons, I wasn’t even surprised. Not because I expected it, but because that’s just who she is and what she does for others.

She always makes it a point to make me feel special, valued, and loved on my birthday. And for someone who has always had a birthday that lives in the shadow of celebrating the birth of Jesus, it has meant so much to my heart. It’s never been about the what or the how, but about the fact that she chooses to share her gifts with others. I’m just grateful to be on the receiving end of that gift.

1 Corinthians 12:4–6 says: There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. I love this truth, and I am grateful that we serve a God who gives unique gifts to each of us.

One of the most important calls on our lives, in my opinion, is to pray about and seek what gifts the Lord has given us. We are not called to boast about the gifts we have been given but rather to use them daily as a way to bless others. And, as in all things, give glory to God in the process.

Spend some time today thinking about what gifts you’ve been given. Don’t feed into the lie that you have nothing to offer, but draw on the truth that we are all gifted through the Holy Spirit, who provides everything we need to bless others in our own unique ways. Then, when you’re ready, give your gifts away, and watch what God can do.

#giving #christ #gift #thenarrowpath #obedience #jesus #corinthians #healing