Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. (1 Cor. 12:1)
IMAGINE YOURSELF TAKING THE TIME to choose just the right gift for another person. The receiver can choose to respond in one of several ways. The option you hope for is that the gift is opened and the receiver delights in it. A second response would be for the receiver to open the gift but later set it aside and never use it. A third way the giver might respond would be to simply choose to not open the gift.
Now imagine God as the gift-giver. He has carefully chosen gifts for His children. The gifts are exceptional in that they are empowered by the Holy Spirit. These gifts not only bless the receiver, they bless others. Spiritual gifts have spiritual power and are able to accomplish great feats here on earth. Spiritual gifts have the power to draw upon God’s strength and wisdom and reveal it to the world.
When it comes to spiritual gifts, we have three choices: We can take delight in and use the gifts God has given us; we can identify our God-given gifts, but neglect to use them; or we can simply ignore our spiritual gifts. God desires for us to make the first choice, to nurture our spiritual gifts and ask for His guidance to use those gifts to the fullest. About spiritual gifts, then, we do not want to be ignorant.
Open your spiritual gift and delight in it.
Cheryl A. Paden has been married for over thirty-seven years to Richard, and they have three wonderful sons and live in Fremont, Nebraska.
