Finding gifts important in ministry

Many of us deny we have gifts and talents. We don’t want to sound like we’re bragging. One of the greatest times in our lives is when we discover new gifts within ourselves and others see them too. God has given them to us to use for His glory.
   
Feeling good about our gifts will come when we lift up a person who is hurting. God has promised us gifts and we have a right to say unashamedly, “My gifts are singing, teaching and visiting people.”
   
After taking part in a gift class at church, I discovered my first gift from God was that of intercessory prayer. I had wondered why I awake in the night having someone’s name on my mind for which to pray. It is a great moment for me to know that one of my responsibilities as a Christian is to take other people’s hurts and needs to God in prayer.
   
Many people say, “I don’t know of any gift I have.” These words come from young and old, educated or not. There are ways to discover what we do best and enjoy or have a passion to do.
   
1. Don’t be afraid to try something new. Explore new interests and you may discover talents you never knew you had.
   
2. There is no shame in saying no to something we dislike doing. I do not work well with money. Other people know it and rarely ask me to be treasurer. Heading up a kitchen project is not my gift either, but I am willing to work under someone else’s direction.
   
3. Sometimes we tell ourselves so often we have no gift that we believe it. Romans 12:6-8 and Ephesians 4:7-16 promise at least one gift to us all. More often, we receive several.
   
4. We can be so busy saying yes to everything, our gifts can be buried in busyness. When Jean bought a new home, she joined things because she was bored. After one year, she quit. Simply running from one thing to another will not work as well as asking God to bring gifts of His choosing into our lives.
   
5. Ask family and friends, “What gifts do you see in me?” Don’t be shy about saying, “I know God has given me the talents for a service I can do for Him to help others.”
   
6. Record how you spend your time. Take out those things that are not fulfilling or activities you dislike.
  
7. When something difficult comes into our lives, it may be a training period. Look for parts that are interesting and appealing. We may discover a gift we didn’t know we had.
   
Working with street people and visiting a women’s prison, I discovered I had an interest in witnessing and sharing my faith. I also loved working with people. It was hard when inmates didn’t accept me at first, but by being patient and continuing to visit, I knew we were friends.
   
8. Place God first and seek His kingdom and righteousness (Matt. 6:33). When the gifts are from Him, then it is He who will guard them and make them grow.
   
It is also helpful to identify gifts in others. Our church school group is small, with about 40 people. To say to one, “You have the ability to write notes of encouragement” often brings a smile.  One class member does beautiful crafts that she often gives away. Our churches — the body of Christ — are full of gifts, abilities and talents given by God. We are expected to use them for others. It is a great moment in each of our lives when we find where we are gifted and begin using our talents for others.