WHY IS THE USE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS IMPORTANT IN THE OVERALL PLAN OF GOD?
In the New Testament, the metaphor of a body is often used to illustrate the interconnected nature of the body of Christ. When one part of our physical body hurts, our whole body suffers from the pain. In a similar spiritual sense, we are all a part of each other such that the actions of one member influence the whole.
Thus, if we are not growing, developing, and using our spiritual gifts, the rest of the body suffers a kind of needless spiritual atrophy. When we are growing and giving, the benefit ripples far beyond the limits of what we can see and understand. When believers are operating within their patterns of gifting, we experience the power of the Holy Spirit in our midst. In this way, the body of Christ grows as new people are brought into the kingdom and Christians become more Christlike.
"To each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men. . . . It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." (Ephesians 4:7-8,11-13, NIV)
WHERE DO WE BEGIN IN DISCOVERING OUR NICHE IN THE BODY OF CHRIST?
Taking this inventory will give you objective feedback on your spiritual gifts and help you discover implications for your life and ministry. Even if you don't feel well equipped to make the best use of your gifts, don't be discouraged. As Christ's parable of the talents teaches us, we must not bury our gifts! It takes time to discover spiritual gifts and learn to use them effectively. It is important to simply begin where you are. Find others who can help you, and learn from their experience as you continue to mature in your gifts. Whatever gifts God has given you, commit yourself to developing and using them for His glory.
HOW DO WE KNOW WHEN WE ARE OPERATING WITHIN OUR GIFTS AND SPHERE OF MINISTRY?
Over time, both an inner and outer confirmation will help us verify the true presence of the Holy Spirit's gifting in our lives. Other people will share with us, in some small way, how God has used some act of help or comfort or teaching in their lives. We will notice a feeling of being at home
when we are operating within the realm we were designed for.
There are a few internal barometers that help us recognize when we are matched with a good ministry fit, one that reflects our set of spiritual gifts. For one thing, a good ministry fit feels natural, not forced. There is a sense of want-to
not have-to
motivation that propels us forward. It feels as though we are in partnership with God, much like the small boy in the Gospels who brought his five loaves and two fish. Jesus multiplied what he brought and made it sufficient for the task.
The exercise of our spiritual gifts will leave us tired yet energized rather than depleted and drained. When God is working through us in the way He designed, we have a sense of receiving as well as giving. God does not ask us to dig a ditch with a sledgehammer; He provides us with the spiritual tools for the task He has called us to do.
