The gift-giving season is over, but did you get what you asked for and wanted? What about those gifts; you still have them, right? Are you happy with what you received? Are you grateful? Do you utilize them? Or have they already been laid aside in a closet, drawer, the garage, or basement? Or, have you set it aside as a “White Elephant” gift for your next Life Group gift exchange?
Even though the giving season of Christmas is past, when it comes to God, gift-giving is always in season.
God is a good Father who gives good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:11). We receive the gift of the promised Holy Spirit by faith (Galatians 3:14), and with the promised gift of the Holy Spirit come the gifts of the Spirit. These are spiritual gifts given to each and every one of us, “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills” (1 Corinthians 12:11).
Notice first that the Holy Spirit decides what gifts we get. In some way, this is like Christmas. We sometimes ask for gifts, thinking that a particular gift is just what we need and will bring us happiness and satisfaction. And yet, some gifts end up in a drawer somewhere and are little used. We thought we knew what we wanted, but in the end, we didn’t. God alone knows what we need, so He gifts us according to His sovereign choice. We should be glad of this because He always works in our best interest and with what will bring us the most fulfillment in serving Him.
Second, the Holy Spirit gives different gifts to each of us. Just as with gift-giving, one is given a game, to another a book, to another a scarf, and to another a doll. Everyone is given something different according to the decision of the one giving the gifts. The choice of a gift is made with a specific person in mind. And that person is you when it comes to your spiritual gift.
Third, a gift is to be appreciated and used. Anyone would be a little hurt if a loved one to whom a gift is given set it aside without opening it and without any effort to find out what was inside—no acknowledgment, no “thank you.”
Be grateful for your gifts. We have a relationship with God. He exists in three Persons. He is the Gift-Giver. He does so because we are His beloved. Indeed, we do not want to grieve His Spirit by taking for granted His good gifts. Take some time to thank God for gifting you with the specific ability He has chosen for you to serve Him. If necessary, pull it out of the drawer, out of the basement closet, and put it on display for the Gift-Giver to see. Then, use that gift for its purpose, for His purpose. As you do, you will grow in gratitude that He has chosen you to minister to others in ways no one else can. To His glory!