The Whole ChurchExemplo

FINDING YOUR PLACE

What kind of stories inspire you? Chances are, you respond to those where ordinary people discover latent abilities, powers, or lost identities that launch them into unexpected destinies. King Arthur, Anastasia, the entire canon of fairytale princesses, and too many comic book heroes to count—the fact that we relish these tales reveals something about human nature: We long to be special. 

We want to play a unique role in an important story.

On the surface, we might think our desire for “capes and crowns” is the type of egotistical ambition the Bible warns against. As Paul wrote to the Galatians, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (5:24). But that isn’t necessarily what’s really going on here. At the heart of this longing is something God wants us to experience: the feeling of being significant to Him and His world.

Even though together we make up the body of Christ, that doesn’t mean we’re all the same. On the contrary, God has equipped each of us to contribute to the health of His body in a way only we can. But how do we discover these gifts, and what does it look like to offer them for the good of the whole? As always, in the church our answers are found in community. 

Spiritual gifts get a lot of attention in the New Testament—nearly every book references or illustrates them. It’s true that the Holy Spirit didn’t fully come until the day of Pentecost, but that doesn’t mean God completely withheld the Spirit from His people in the Old Testament. Let’s investigate a lesser-known passage.

In Exodus 31, Moses introduces us to Bezalel, the first person mentioned as being filled with the Spirit of God. Tasked with constructing the ark of the covenant and the tent of meeting, Bezalel teams up with Oholiab to handcraft every component from the scarlet curtains to the wooden altar and plenty of gold hardware. The end result? A resting place for God’s glory where He met with His people.

Today, God’s probably not going to call us to literally construct a new tabernacle with our bare hands. But still, our spiritual gifts, like Bezalel’s, are building Christ’s church. As you move forward, ask God to help you stay open to receiving from Him the strength and motivation to keep offering your gifts with a joyful heart. Remember, we can consciously look for opportunities to activate our gifts while taking a moment to center ourselves in humility and service.

As was true for Bezalel and so many other followers throughout history, our gifts find their fullest expression in community for community. 

Digging Deeper

• Recall the last time you watched a loved one open a present from you—that person’s pleasure was your pleasure, right? Did you ever consider that, like you, God delights in giving you gifts?
• How could receiving your spiritual gifts with joy and gratitude help you develop a deeper intimacy with the Father?
• Be intentional in looking for opportunities to serve your church with your gifts. Pray for God to reveal which doors He’s opened for you—whether that looks like starting something new and recruiting others or joining someone in an established ministry.

Prayer

Father, I’m humbled to be a part of Your church on earth. Thank You for giving me a place among Your people, thereby fulfilling my desire to be significant in this world. I pray You’ll open my eyes to all the ways in which You’ve equipped me to serve You. Teach me how to partner with fellow believers in Your divine ministry, and help me see how I can strengthen the gifts of my brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen.