Devotions Inspired By Beyond BlessedSample

TALENTS AND SPIRITUAL GIFTS
by David Thompson

During the weekend services at Gateway Church, I like to walk up and down the two main aisles at the Southlake Campus. I’ll arrive 30 minutes early to catch up with the people I’ve met on previous weekends and meet first-time guests. Growing up, I didn’t understand why I enjoy this so much, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized God has actually given me a special talent to easily connect and engage with people. I’m always looking to make eye contact with someone and hoping to spark a conversation. 

One of the beautiful things about being a part of a healthy church family is seeing the different natural talents and supernatural spiritual gifts on display. I use my gift to engage someone new, but that’s just one piece of the puzzle. My friend Susie, who volunteers as an usher, uses her gift of connecting people to make sure they find a friendly person to sit with. There are others who use their gifts to usher in the presence of God in worship or pray with people at the altar. All of these natural talents and spiritual gifts come from the Lord, and they all bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. 

When I step back and look at the hundreds of volunteers serving each weekend at Gateway, greeting at the door, serving coffee, answering questions, interpreting foreign languages, running the cameras, ministering to children, worshipping from the platform, and pastoring people, I’m overwhelmed by how wonderfully unique each person is and how masterfully God has brought us together for His glory. Every person has been given gifts, and the whole body of Christ is impacted when you discover them and use them to serve others. 

The Bible tells us that God gives us our abilities, has good works set up in advance for us to do, and rewards us both here on earth and in heaven for being faithful with these talents and spiritual gifts. If you truly recognize God as the owner of all things, then it will be easy to ask the Holy Spirit what He wants you to do with the unique gifts He’s entrusted to you. 

As you go to Him daily for insight on how and when to use these gifts, you’ll develop a deeper and more intimate relationship with God. The heart of a steward is to grow closer to the Master, using every resource to honor His desires and have the maximum impact for His kingdom. Will you commit to listening for the voice of the Holy Spirit today?

PRAYER
Father, thank You for depositing natural talents and spiritual gifts inside of me. Thank You for empowering me with Your Holy Spirit to use these gifts to impact the lives of others. Allow me to hear You more clearly so I can steward every gift according to Your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

MEMORY VERSE   
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” MATTHEW 6:33 (NLT)