Spiritual Gifts

The pastor asked for each member to complete a spiritual gifts survey.  Simple questions that lead to an analysis of the characteristics one may possess.  Questions require honest answers.  Honest answers require a deep reflection of the heart and mind and not just a precursory glance at how you may feel at the moment.  This survey reveals where you may need to seek service in the kingdom of God.

But what of it?  Once it is completed and those characteristics are revealed, did you already know what you possess?  Do you own what you possess?  Is it to be kept hidden on the back page, folded up and stored in your bedside table?  Did I say "hidden?"

In Paul's letters to Timothy, he gives instructions for the church; the kingdom of God.  He doesn't necessarily list out these characteristics of service for the full body of believers.  Although he makes it clear that the work of the body is to be carried out in genuine sincerity, integrity, compassion and love.

Can the characteristics of an active member of a congregation be kept hidden and really be active?  Is there the necessity of accountability for each believer that brings encouragement to participate fully in the kingdom according to each one's spiritual gifts?

I am guilty of hiding!  I am the one that needs the encouragement to carry out the work of the gifts for which I possess.  Because accountability is hard.  I don't like being told what to do.  I don't want this graph to tell me what I should or should not be doing.  Because quite honestly, knowledge is something I fiercely lack on the best day.  But there is a desire to have it.  There is a desire to gulp in as much as I can.

Who can teach without knowledge, right?

Ugh!

This is hard.

Why is it easier to admit to possessing administration rather than knowledge?  I can organize stuff and put things in order.  Even that is hard to say.  But you need to know because you need to hold me accountable to this quite telling graph.

***It is so telling that I just had to go pour more coffee just to get away from it.***

Will you share yours?  Can we all hold each other accountable so that the body functions properly?  When I don't eat right and exercise and stay in the Word, I don't function right.  The practice of discipline brings balance and order.  And I like balance and order.  I work better with it.

So, there you go.  My vulnerability for the day.  All laid out for you to see.  So now you know I may not have much mercy or hospitality or even apostleship.  But I love organizing and growing in knowledge and sharing that knowledge with others.

Will you share yours?  Let's hold each other accountable.  I imagine yours looks very different from mine.