Daily devotion – Discovering your gifting.
Scripture: Romans 12:1–2; Ephesians 4:7–12
Do you realise there is much more to Acts 2 than the wind, the fire, and the speaking in tongues? Acts 2 marks the birth of the Church, the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit came to empower believers, dwell within them, and equip them with spiritual gifts to serve the Lord and one another.
When Jesus ascended into Heaven, He did not leave His Church without the resources it needed. He gave gifts to His people so that the body of Christ could grow, mature, and fulfil His purposes.
Have you discovered the gift God has given you?
How do you find your spiritual gift? First, study what the Bible says about spiritual gifts. Read 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4. Pray and ask the Lord to show you how He has equipped you to serve. Consider your spiritual strengths, your God-given desires, and the opportunities He places before you. Seek the counsel of mature Christians, too. Often, others will recognise and affirm what God is doing in your life.
Paul writes in Romans 12:1–2 that we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God and allow Him to transform our minds so that we may prove His good, acceptable, and perfect will.
Discovering your gift begins with surrendering yourself to the Giver.
Have you ever tried to turn the steering wheel of a parked car? It can be difficult. But once the car begins moving, it becomes much easier to steer and direct.
The same principle applies to serving the Lord. Sometimes we sit back, waiting for God to reveal our entire future before we take the first step. But God often directs us as we faithfully begin to serve Him.
You don’t need to wait for an invitation to preach to thousands of people. Start where you are! Teach Sunday school and love those children. Welcome people at the church door. Help with the youth, serve behind the scenes, pray faithfully, show mercy to someone who is hurting, or open your home and practise hospitality.
These may seem like small things to us, but nothing done for the Lord in love is insignificant.
Remember, spiritual gifts are not given to make us important; they are given so that we can make a difference in the lives of others. As 1 Peter 4:10 reminds us, we are to use whatever gift we have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God’s grace.
So, don’t bury what God has entrusted to you. Don’t compare your gift with someone else’s, and don’t underestimate what the Lord can do through an ordinary person who is surrendered and available to Him.
This week, ask yourself three questions: 1. What has God equipped me to do? 2. Where can I begin serving? 3. Who could help me recognise and develop my gift?
Then take a step of faith and get moving! Remember, God has not called every believer to the same ministry, but He has called every believer to serve. Discover your gift, exercise it in love, and use it to build up the body of Christ for the glory of God.
Lord, show me how You have gifted me. Help me to surrender my life afresh to You, recognise the opportunities You place before me, and faithfully use what You have entrusted to me. May my life strengthen Your Church and bring glory to Jesus. Amen.