But the more interesting study was looking at descriptions of the gifts and figuring out which ones we have and which ones others have. (We looked at descriptions that Mark Driscoll used in a sermon during his sermon series in 1 Corinthians.) In preparation for the study I went to a friend of mine and asked if she knew what her spiritual gift was. She said no. This is someone who feels that she has very little to give to the church. As I read the definition for the gift of service as well as some questions to figure out if that’s your gift any arguement she could have had about not being a servant was wiped away and she got a sheepish grin on her face. She saw herself in the description.
Later, at youth, after I read through all the different descriptions we shared about what we thought our own gift(s) were and what other peoples gifts were. Only one person didn’t see themselves in any of the gifts (but others shared what gifts they thought that person might have). What I saw was people who questioned if they had anything to give or wondering how they could be involved suddenly being able to articulate what they do well, what they can offer the body of Christ.
It’s amazing for me to realize, and pass on, the fact that all of God’s kids have a place in the body. Each one has a purpose. Because my gifts are more front and center I can (and have) considered myself superior and thought of others, whose gifts were more background and hidden gifts, as inferior. Studying the gifts rounded that picture out for me. It’s not just preaching or teaching. There are the very important gifts of encouragement, mercy, giving. Thinking about those sorts of gifts brings to mind those who have demonstrated those gifts in my life. People who have come along side me and given me a pat on the back, a card in the mailbox, cleaned up after an event without me knowing, offered to helpe me in anyway possible. I value these gifts. These are not inferior gifts. They are pure blessing.
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 1 Corinithians 12:12