“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10

Using the Gift

Last Spring, I watched a blue jay build her nest outside my office window. She had chosen the lowest branches of a sparse pine tree for a home for her babies. I ponder whether this was a wise choice, because many days of rain were forecast and I didn’t see how the babies would survive the cold wetness, since there wasn’t much above to protect them.

I didn’t see her begin the nest, and I wondered how she got those first dry pine needles to stay in place long enough to make the framework she needed. I only saw her adding to it and strengthening it when it was almost complete. I didn’t know when the eggs hatched, but she did seem to sit awhile throughout the day before flying off, always to return again.

I thought, who taught her to do this? Who showed her how to place those first few needles and twigs? Do the mama jays chat about this? Do they tell one another the best way? They can’t learn from their own mamas, as they weren’t even an egg when their own childhood homes were built.

Of course, we know that God puts the ability and knowledge in them, plain and simple. He puts in them the perseverence they need to place another needle, another twig, another strengthening aspect. He gives them knowledge of the shape and size, the right location, the perfect timing. The eggs are coming, and mama knows it, and she will be ready. Modern science calls it “innate ability” but it is actually God who gives knowledge and wisdom.

And so it is with the giftings He gives us. When God decided what our callings would be, He put within us all we require in order to accomplish His will through us. We may need to seek knowledge or gain experience or see others using the same gift, but He has placed the gifts within us already. He also gives us a desire to do His will. He works perseverence in us, and He is patient throughout the process of maturing us in the gifts He gave.

We may or may not even realize we are operating in a spiritual gift. After all, the gifts sometimes just seem like we are merely living our lives. But a careful study  reveals that often the things we do “just because we can” are actually His gifts. A teacher or preacher or writer may know they are operating in their gifting, but the person who “helps” or “gives” or “comforts” or “leads” or “worships” may not realize they have a gift that is operating in them. (If you are unfamiliar with what spiritual gifts are, refer to Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12-14, and Ephesians 4; various other gifts are mentioned throughout the Bible.)

“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them…” (Romans 12:6).

Lord, thank You for giving us purpose for our lives. Lead us in using our gifts for Your glory and Your kingdom work, and for building up not our own “nests,” but Your Body. Amen.