But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. (1 Corinthians 12:11 NAS95)
God has engaged me around spiritual gifts in many ways over the course of my journey with Him. Now I just think they flow from intimacy with Jesus: recognizable relationship with God.
I learned that gifts aren’t about me, or about my theology, but they are about God’s deep care for His creation, specifically people, and His desire for them to know Him. God moved me to a space where gifts of the Spirit are expressions of love toward another and for their benefit not mine.
As such God has a been working on my listening to Him, responding to Him, as I interact with people, whether followers of Jesus or yet-to-be followers of Jesus. He’s moved me to consider how deeply present He is with everyone, but not everyone knows it. Even fellow saints can struggle with whether God cares for them.
Manifestations of the Spirit operate in relationship to God and His desires because the Spirit distributes them as He wills. God has used that last phrase to shape me and call me into surrender to His kind of love whether I understand it or not. When I am surrendered to His love, what happens often surprises me. Gifts that I would not consider gifts have impact when I would think nothing should result.
I recall a phone call from my stepmother, who at the time didn’t know Jesus, but had a question concerning her daughter, my stepsister. My answer to her question led to her daughter eventually trusting Jesus, and then some years later, bringing my stepmother to faith. I lost contact with them through my stepmother’s divorce with my father.
Can an answer to a question, a mundane conversation be a gift? Yes. The odd part of the phone call concerns me wondering what happened over the years. Why would I wonder? It was just a conversation. Yet with no effort, my stepsister (some 20 years later) finds me at a missions conference and connects all the dots — I didn’t even ask. Then due to the passing of my father a few years ago, I connected with my stepmother who right-away tells me of her faith in Christ.
The Spirit gives gifts even when I don’t know it or expect it. Intimacy with Him, sharing His desires for the benefit of others allows all kinds of gifts to flow from His deep love.
For Reflection:
“They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house; and You give them to drink of the river of Your delights.” (Psalm 36:8 NAS95)
- How has God surprised you with the gifts He has given others through your pursuit of Him?
- What helps you cultivate or nurture your intimacy with God?
