Knowing Your Spiritual Gifts
Why is it so important that we learn what our spiritual gifts are?
Knowing what our own spiritual gifts are is important to live out our lives to the fullest. We should all find our identity first in being a follower of Christ, but it goes beyond that. We are not made to just exist. We are made to do, move forward, work, cultivate this fallen world to know Christ. Each one of us has been uniquely created to do that. Every one of us is different and unique, that’s not limited to our fingerprints.
Knowing our own spiritual gifts allows us to focus on what we do best. I once tried out for youth choir. Musical ability is NOT in any way one of my spiritual gifts! I had not yet figured out what my gifts were and was trying to find my spot in my community. Doing something like this spiritual gifts test gives you direction and helps you not to wander aimlessly trying out for choir when you are tone-deaf.
I also think knowing our own gifts helps us to understand we add value to the Kingdom and our gifts are no more or less needed than the others.
How are your spiritual gifts different from your abilities?
Often our abilities and spiritual gifts go hand in hand. We think of them as our “personality” or “what comes naturally”. But, there is a definite difference. When we use our abilities we are doing it for our own good, to further ourselves in our world. Even when we are helping or being kind. These aren’t wrong but aren’t fulfilling our deepest calling. When we use our spiritual gifts we are doing it to draw people to the Lord and show His perfect love. What it does to us personally when we use our spiritual gifts is fill a hole that only the Lord can fill. That hole is the emptiness we feel after a job well done and congratulations are over, then there’s that spot of nothingness.
What is one of your spiritual gifts and how have you seen it be used by God to advance His Kingdom?
My strongest spiritual gift is hospitality. I can throw a great party! But we have also had over 40 people live in our home in the 35 years we have been married.
I don’t always succeed, but when I am around you my heart wants you to feel seen, loved, heard, and special — whether it’s through a party or in a conversation or you’re living in our house.
Two of my other spiritual gifts are "helps" and "service". I feel like these go right along with hospitality.
Some of these gifts don’t appear to be very “spiritual.” How have you seen God use your “ordinary” gifts in a supernatural way?
I feel like all three of my gifts are “ordinary” so I am going to answer this differently, and talk about my “spiritual” gift.
My last gift is Faith. This is an invisible gift. There are no balloons and confetti, but being strong in a spiritual gift like faith encompasses every aspect of my life. I daily live in the knowledge that the Lord has me in His hand at ALL times. He has carried me through my darkest hours and rejoiced with me on the mountain tops.
Different from my other three gifts, faith takes more work on my part. I have to pour into and develop my relationship with Jesus. Just like we work on our earthy relationships. Reading my Bible and prayer are a must to cultivate faith. Without that, I resort back to my abilities.
What words of encouragement do you have for someone as they explore their own spiritual gifts?
First I think we need to understand that spiritual gifts are for those who have a personal relationship with Christ. Anything else is our abilities. The hole, or emptiness, or not being fulfilled or gratified is not going to be filled by working harder or different people or a different job. The only way to have complete fullness in how you are wired is to know Jesus as your Savior, God as your Creator, and the Holy Spirit as your help.
I would encourage everyone in the few days after identifying your spiritual gift to be very aware (maybe journal) when they come into play in your life. Identify the differences between your abilities and spiritual gifts. Also, identify how using them made you feel different. In very simple terms, ask yourself:
Am I being used the way I was wired for my own purpose or for God's glory?
And then make a conscience change to point all you do towards the Lord. Like anything else, the more you use your gifts the easier it becomes.
If you haven't taken your spiritual gifts test head over here: Spiritual Gifts Blog
A note about the author:
Jodie Elrod has been a wife to Tom for over 35 years. They have three grown kids and six grandchildren, with their seventh on the way. They moved to the Pacific Northwest to be closer to some of their kids after living in central California area for her entire life. Jodie loves throwing an amazing party and having a reason to celebrate. She enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and going to Giants games.