A word often heard in spiritual and religious settings is “spiritual gifts.” While conversations around this subject can prove enlightening, they may become a potential mine field of conflict with regard to understanding how God desires to use them to work through you and me.

The whole topic of giftedness cannot be covered in one post, however, as I have walked my own journey as well as listened to others over the years, several truths have emerged that you might find helpful in discovering how God has gifted you.

Scripture mentions fifteen plus spiritual gifts [listed alphabetically]: administration, apostle, discernment, evangelism, exhortation, faith, giving, healing, helps, hospitality, knowledge, leadership, mercy, pastor, prophecy, service, teaching, and wisdom.

At first glance some of these appear to be more interesting and/or more exciting than others, depending on your particular perspective. Nonetheless, to engage in “better than, more interesting than, more important than” thinking and comparisons is a sure prescription for trouble. As with the parts of our physical body, all the gifts have a purpose in service to the greater good.

There are lots of ways to understand the gifts we have been given, however, there are some important points to keep in mind and heart.

  • As with most things in life, going to God in prayer is a good way to begin. Ask. Listen. Pay attention to the movement of the Spirit within. A mature friend or spiritual companion can provide insight and support as you go about this process.
  • The answers are within your heart. Surveys —and there are many, free and for a fee—are designed to help you with self-awareness and provide some clarity. On the other hand, most of us have little wherewithal to be objective. If we put our confidence in a questionnaire [or, by the same token, this or that person] rather than take the time to engage in the deeper work of prayer and listening, we may eventually realize we wanted a certain outcome or result. For example: if we envision the gift of teaching as having merit over the gift of helps, we may miss entirely that God knew the best way some of us could help and encourage others would be by sharing the latter rather than chasing after the former.
  • It’s not about the color, size, or shape of the container. You and I have physical, intellectual, psychological, and emotional aspects that contribute to who we are as unique individuals created in the image and likeness of God. Yet it’s important to remember we not allow personal characteristics define what gifts we think the Divine has given us. For example: do I need to be tall and slim to have the gift of discernment? Or is it mandatory that all pastors be male? Or all those with wisdom be feminine?
  • It’s not about the kind of gift. It seems obvious from the number and variety of gifts discussed in Scripture that we need lots of willing, believing people to use their giftedness to manifest the actions and behaviors Jesus modeled as he helped and encouraged the hurting and the suffering during the three years of his ministry. It’s no accident none of us have been given all the gifts. Each of us have our strengths and weaknesses. Only God knows best how to make the most of them.
  • To not open the gift is to deny others the blessing of the gift. Some of us are shy or hesitant—or downright afraid—to open gifts of any description. Sadly, if we feel this way about the spiritual gifts we have been given, we could live an entire lifetime without ever having trusted God to peel away the layers of outer wrapping for us to discover what He has placed within us. When was the last time you gave a gift, hoping the recipient would set it aside to gather dust?

To make the choice to allow God to work through us in harmony with one another is akin to being an active, other-centered member of an inspired orchestra where each produces the tuneful notes that are the fruit of focus and practice. May it be so with you and me as we endeavor to be the helpers and encouragers our families, communities, and world so desperately need.

Do I know what gifts God has given me?

How willing am I to share them with others?

Do I need to let go of my ideas of what gifts I’ve been given and trust God to provide clarity?