Wednesday, April 27 – 1 Corinthians 12:8-11

For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

As a parent watches their baby become a toddler and their toddler a preschooler, one question that comes to mind is “Who will they be?” This question does not come from not knowing who they are but a recognition that there are some special gifts and attributes that are still being developed and coming to life at these young ages. You cannot look at a baby and know whether they will be good at science or English. These gifts and inclinations start to develop as they grow.

Similarly, when we follow Jesus, our gifts may not be immediate or completely natural to us but as we grow in our faith, God starts to reveal the unique gifts He is using in our lives through the Holy Spirit. When you read this list of gifts, some of them may sound intimidating—ones that you could not possibly see for your life right now. That is okay. Wherever you find yourself in your faith journey, God is growing and working in your life as you follow Him. He is the one that made you and He knows how your gifts will grow and change and be used in different seasons. Can you trust Him with the gifts He has given you today? Will you ask Him to grow your gifts as He sees fit? As you look at your life, you may not see all the details about how God will grow and use gifts in your life, but you can be obedient to take the step that is right in front of you, using the gift He has given you for today.

• What are some of the gifts from this list that stand out to you? Why?
• How has God used you to serve in the church or community? How does that relate to your spiritual gifts?
• Pray and ask God to show you how to follow Him with the gifts He has given you.