Spiritual Gifts- What's Yours Like?

Spiritual gifts are an amazing and wonderful thing. Honestly, I get a tad confused sometimes though. What exactly are they and how do you know what yours are? Do they ever change and how can you tell if that happens?

I've been thinking a lot about my spiritual gifts and wondering what they really are and what to do with them. I've done surveys that tell you what your spiritual gifts could be {Here! you can too}, but I still find myself with questions. 

How do I really know for sure? Can someone else point out my gifts or is this between God and me? Does it take others talking about their gifts for me to know what even constitutes a spiritual gift in action? So many questions- and so few instant answers. Maybe God's testing our patience together, if so- let's band together friend. 

Spiritual Gifts |  Or charismata are endowments which may be given by the Holy Spirit. These are the supernatural graces which individual Christians need to fulfill the mission of the church.

Charismata |  χαρίσματα  plural for charisma; in general denotes any good gift that flows from God's love to humans.

Below are some passages where we can find biblical references to the gifts listed {I love using The Message translation when I'm having a tough time with a topic}.

Romans 12:6-8 | 1 Corinthians 12:8-10; 28-30 | Ephesians 4:11

Administration	Faith	Knowledge	Prophecy
Apostleship	Giving	Leadership	Service
Discernment	Healing	Mercy	Teaching
Evangelism	Helping	Miracles	Tongues
Exhortation	Interpret Tongues	Pastor/Shepherd	Wisdom

HERE is a great interactive visualization of categories and which gift is included in that category.

Okay! Now we know what our options are. What's next? I hone in on what I identify most with. This part is tricky for me; I get tangled in looking to where I think I fit in best and where I want to fit in best. 

I'm confident one of my spiritual gifts is Administration. I love to track things, make lists, coordinate, and find new ways to share important information. My heart lies in events; it overflows with joy when others come together and experience a well thought out/planned/executed event. I love and am thankful Our Father has blessed me with this. 

So why do I get confused? I guess confusion is the wrong word- I get frustrated. My ego puffs up every once in a while and I want to do more. I want to be more. I get lost in the ways of the world and think I deserve better than what I have. Oh goodness do I need Jesus. My heart knows I've been placed where I am to help others; to do the little things that help add up to the big things. But then my mind thinks I've been doing these things for much too long, I need to spread my wings and deserve to have more. 

What's to be done at that point? More questions arise and I get confused, which leads to frustration. Am I wasting my gifts by acting ungrateful and missing opportunities to best work for the Kingdom? Am I stifling what God has planned for me by passing up other opportunities out of comfort or stubbornness? Do I convince myself I need to make the most of what I have because God placed me here and is counting on me to make a difference? Again- too many questions and not enough answers. 

Here's my resolution- more quiet time with God. He's the one with the answers, the plan, and is well aware of our purpose. When I'm confused I need to go to Him. I think He loves for us to ask Him questions about His plan. So let's do it!

Friend- if you're in this place, can we pray for each other? I'd love to encourage you in this journey and would greatly appreciate someone to hold me accountable and covered in prayers. Let me know in the comments below!

4 Tips to Find Time for God

I have been doing an awful job lately of making time to get in my bible everyday. I have wonderful intentions of creating the perfect bible study each morning when I get out of bed... and then the alarm goes off and my plans are shot.

I chalk it up to laziness and lack of a plan. I have all the tools I need: books, bibles, devotionals, music, a prayer list, motivation - but I'm big time lacking follow through.

IT'S TIME TO MAKE A CHANGE!

Our church begin a daily Advent devotional through the YouVersion bible app. It includes readings each day leading up to Christmas. Obviously I'm a little late - but I'm the queen of catching up {and getting burnt out}.

So in an effort to shape up before my new years resolution life resolution begins... here are a couple tips that help me get back in the bible swing when life starts to compete:

1. Find a comfy spot and make it your own. 
I bounce between two different places in the apartment; the dining room table and the double snuggle {appropriately named for the best cuddle couch ever}. I bring my favorite cozy blanket, candles, hot tea; whatever you want to help you look forward to getting lost in your special space.

2. Make a plan not to have a plan.
Spending time with God should be organic. Don't force it or make it pragmatic. Sit in His presence and soak Him up. If you feel like reading, read. If you feel like praying, pray. If you want to listen to some worship music, sing your heart out. If you feel like listening to God, be quiet. If you keep Him at the center of your mind and are intentional with your time, He'll move you toward how He wants to connect with you.

3. Don't compare your time with God to anyone else's experience.
Don't watch the clock and think you need to spend 1 hour every day sitting in your special spot waiting for miracles to happen or expect to read an entire book of the bible in one sitting. Sometimes those things will happen. Sometimes they won't. Don't compare what your quiet time with God looks like to mine {or anyone else's; FB and Insta can be the worst}.

4. Try to keep distractions at bay.
My mind wonders so easily it's not even funny. It seems like when I'm trying to concentrate {God's Word or otherwise} there are even more things competing for my attention. Turn the TV off. Ask your family for a little alone time. Put your cellphone in another room. Bring out the bible book; not scrolling on your phone. When I'm chatting with God I want His undivided attention; the least I can do is try to give Him mine.

These are some of the things that help me focus and dig into my devotional time with God. NOW - time to get consistent with it. I hope some of these help you to get the most out of your time with God. <3

Good luck to you and wish me luck too!

xoxo