Listen

We have different gifts that are consistent with God’s grace that has been given to us. If your gift is prophecy, you should prophesy in proportion to your faith. If your gift is service, devote yourself to serving. If your gift is teaching, devote yourself to teaching. If your gift is encouragement, devote yourself to encouraging. The one giving should do it with no strings attached. The leader should lead with passion. The one showing mercy should be cheerful.

Romans 12:6-8

Think

When you were designed by God, the source of all gifts and goodness, you were given unique, specific gifts meant just for you. Discerning what these gifts are and learning how best to use them is one way you grow into wholeness with God.

The apostle Paul lists multiple examples of gifts in our scripture from Romans, some of which the world emphasizes more than others. The world elevates those whose gift it is to lead, but in God’s view, serving is just as important as leading, as is showing mercy. This is another chance to choose not to conform to the patterns of the world but to discern what God has truly equipped us to do. It may be serving, leading, encouraging, teaching–the list is endless! Thankfully, God did not design us to do all these things but to do what best reflects our unique gifts.

Lauren Dunn

Question to Ponder:

What unique gifts did God give me, and how can I grow into using them?

Pray

God of all gifts and goodness, you made me in your image and equipped me with special gifts meant just for me. Meet me in my discernment of these gifts that I may better serve you and those around me. Amen.

Go

Go into the world resting in the confidence of your identity in God, who designed you, loves you, and goes with you every step of the way.