When I was young, my mother read books illustrated by Eloise Wilkin--and her paintings are still some of my favorites. Try as might--3rd grade, 7th grade, every time I went to art class--I could not begin to duplicate the delicacy and reality she brought my little life.
Life has moved on. I've grown up and realized that there's not much I can draw beyond stick figures and basic conceptual shapes. It's been a disappointment. By God's grace, disappointment came quickly, before I'd spent countless hours pursuing a path of empty dreams.
That's one area of life--but there are others. In some, I paddle fiercely; in others, I am resigned to life on the bench. But there's more to it than that.
The Bible says "to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good" (1 Corinthians 12:7). You might like to know that the original Greek means, "each one." Yes. Everyone. Personally. Each. Those of us who have a redeemed relationship with God through Christ (see right sidebar) have been given a "manifestation of the Spirit" (I looked that up in Greek, too, and "manifestation" means "manifestation.")
Years ago a pastor asked me to join him in visiting with a couple who received news the husband was dying of cancer. We listened and prayed. The couple left and the pastor turned to me. "Since you have the gift of mercy and I don't, I'd like you to take care of them." What?! "But you're their pastor!"
That moment drove me back to Scripture and this interesting insight: many of the "manifestations" or spiritual gifts God gives His children are extensions of their new nature. He seems to give a boost to certain individuals, but the primary trait is shared (should be shared) by all believers: wisdom, knowledge, faith, service, teaching, encouragement, giving, mercy, evangelism. We are all called to be wise in the way we live (Ephesians 5:15-16), to be generous on every occasion (2 Corinthians 9:8-11), to be merciful (Matthew 5:7)...and the list goes on.
That means you and I are without excuse. God has purposed, enabled and equipped us to represent Him, within the Church (and to a dying world), in a supernatural way. And when we get it--when we learn to depend on God and get busy discovering His design for each of us--we're no longer a failure on the bench. There's fire in the hole! God is at work. We see the need, depend on His grace, and get to work, fighting discouragement, rankle, and fatigue. There's no time to mewl over warming the bench, I have a course of action and contribution to make--because I am an "each one."
On a different level, we have natural gifts and abilities--i.e. artistry--that God redeems as uses for His purpose as well. And that is another area of struggle because "I want" to do certain things...and God gives that job to someone else. "I want" to do a different thing....but God didn't give me the capacity to do it well. "I want" to be seen or appreciated...and it never seems to happen that way. And as I struggle with the places God puts me and the opportunities He gives, my heart is drawn to praise and glorify His wisdom. He is using the "yes's" and the "no's" to make me more like Jesus--not more like myself. And that (as many of you know) is a blessing to us all!
The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:7-11)
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Life has moved on. I've grown up and realized that there's not much I can draw beyond stick figures and basic conceptual shapes. It's been a disappointment. By God's grace, disappointment came quickly, before I'd spent countless hours pursuing a path of empty dreams.
That's one area of life--but there are others. In some, I paddle fiercely; in others, I am resigned to life on the bench. But there's more to it than that.
The Bible says "to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good" (1 Corinthians 12:7). You might like to know that the original Greek means, "each one." Yes. Everyone. Personally. Each. Those of us who have a redeemed relationship with God through Christ (see right sidebar) have been given a "manifestation of the Spirit" (I looked that up in Greek, too, and "manifestation" means "manifestation.")
Years ago a pastor asked me to join him in visiting with a couple who received news the husband was dying of cancer. We listened and prayed. The couple left and the pastor turned to me. "Since you have the gift of mercy and I don't, I'd like you to take care of them." What?! "But you're their pastor!"
That moment drove me back to Scripture and this interesting insight: many of the "manifestations" or spiritual gifts God gives His children are extensions of their new nature. He seems to give a boost to certain individuals, but the primary trait is shared (should be shared) by all believers: wisdom, knowledge, faith, service, teaching, encouragement, giving, mercy, evangelism. We are all called to be wise in the way we live (Ephesians 5:15-16), to be generous on every occasion (2 Corinthians 9:8-11), to be merciful (Matthew 5:7)...and the list goes on.
That means you and I are without excuse. God has purposed, enabled and equipped us to represent Him, within the Church (and to a dying world), in a supernatural way. And when we get it--when we learn to depend on God and get busy discovering His design for each of us--we're no longer a failure on the bench. There's fire in the hole! God is at work. We see the need, depend on His grace, and get to work, fighting discouragement, rankle, and fatigue. There's no time to mewl over warming the bench, I have a course of action and contribution to make--because I am an "each one."
On a different level, we have natural gifts and abilities--i.e. artistry--that God redeems as uses for His purpose as well. And that is another area of struggle because "I want" to do certain things...and God gives that job to someone else. "I want" to do a different thing....but God didn't give me the capacity to do it well. "I want" to be seen or appreciated...and it never seems to happen that way. And as I struggle with the places God puts me and the opportunities He gives, my heart is drawn to praise and glorify His wisdom. He is using the "yes's" and the "no's" to make me more like Jesus--not more like myself. And that (as many of you know) is a blessing to us all!
The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:7-11)
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