Wednesday, May 4 – Romans 12:3-8

For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many parts in one body and all the body’s parts do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually parts of one another. However, since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them properly: if prophecy, in proportion to one’s faith; if service, in the act of serving; or the one who teaches, in the act of teaching; or the one who exhorts, in the work of exhortation; the one who gives, with generosity; the one who is in leadership, with diligence; the one who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

In sports, one of the quickest ways to stop growing in skill is to believe you are the best. When we feel like we have arrived, we don’t see the areas we could improve. We miss out on growing in our skills because we can’t see our flaws. Paul wanted the church to know and understand the areas they needed to grow. When you think about your spiritual gifts, they may seem far off, or some may come more naturally than others. That is okay! God is continuing to work in you and grow your gifts through the power of the Holy Spirit inside of you.

When you begin to develop a skill, you use the opportunities you are given to get better. As you learn and consider what your spiritual gifts are, look at the opportunities that are right in front of you. What is an area of the church you would be really excited to serve in? Who can you give to generously? Do you know someone who’s in need of encouragement? Growing in these gifts is slow and intentional work as God molds and makes us, but it is also a joy. What an opportunity! God has equipped you and has spiritual gifts He wants to grow in you. Through His power, we get to be a part of His kingdom work as He reaches our family, neighbors, and the nations. When we come to Him, seeking His strength and power at work in us, we can make an eternal impact even as we use our spiritual gifts in everyday moments.

• What is a practical way you could seek to use your gifts today?
• Is there an area of your life where you think of yourself more highly than you should? How does that get in the way of using your spiritual gifts?
• Pray and ask God to show you the next step in how you use the spiritual gifts He has given you.