By Wendy Reaume

We are surprised by joy when we do what we were created to do. Each of us has unique gifts and abilities and when we put them into practice we find that we are fulfilled. We find great joy. 

Now there are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working,  but the same God works all of them in all men.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking different kinds of  tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work on one and the same Spirit, and He gives them to each one, just as He determines. (1 Corinthians 12:7-11)

When we become believers (accept by faith that Jesus paid the price for our sin on the cross and that it is sufficient to restore a right relationship with the Father) we are ‘sealed’ with the Holy Spirit. In addition, each believer is given at least one spiritual gift. Yes, each and every believer receives a spiritual gift at the point of regeneration (faith) and the gift you receive is determined by God. What are they to be used for? They are to be used for the common good. The rest of chapter 12 makes it very clear that regardless of when we became a believer, or what gift we are given, or even how many gifts we received, we are ALL EQUALLY IMPORTANT. The imagery of a body is used. Without an eye, you couldn’t see. It is of no use for the whole body to be all eyes, however. Without a hand, you cannot touch. But what good is it if our whole body is only hands? We need each other and only together are we complete.

And that, my friends, is why there is such great joy when you use the gifts God gave you! 

My mom moved in with us this year. She has the gift of hospitality. Entertaining others comes so easily to her and she does it so well. She loves to cook and plan and prepare and serve and yes, even clean up the kitchen afterwards.  Her whole life she has loved to have people stay in their home and to be of service to them. When she moved in with us, she had been robbed of this ability for almost a year simply because she did not have her own place to stay. She felt like she was being a burden and perhaps should go somewhere else to live out her last days.   It wasn’t long until she had to jump into the kitchen to prepare a meal for ladies’ Bible study breakfast on Thursday mornings, or men’s Bible study breakfast on Saturdays. A new great-grandchild meant making meals to put in the freezer, and fellowship time after church required people to sign up and bring the snacks. Fast forward a mere 3 months and I am almost no longer welcome in my own kitchen while she grins ear to ear. She is doing what she was gifted to do: helps and hospitality! My gifts lie elsewhere and by helping out so much in this area she has freed me up to teach and to write. And the result? Joy. True joy and a sense of belonging and usefulness to us both.

Do you thrive when you use your gift? Do you feel a sense of purpose and pleasure? If you don’t know what your gift is please reach out and someone on the Pastoral staff can help you to determine it. Or ask others—what do you think my spiritual gift is? Often we cannot see what others clearly see because it comes so easily to us. The point is as you exercise it for the benefit of the common good, you will truly be surprised by joy! You will be doing what you were created to do and will feel a part of the bigger corporate family of God. Surprise yourself by joy this week and thank you for being exactly who you were created to be!

Our song for today is So Will I (100 Billion X) by Hillsong Worship.