So what am I going to do with this?

Ephesians 4:7, 11-16

But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ's gift. ...

 

 

The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people's trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body's growth in building itself up in love.

Image Source Page: http://arlcohol.wordpress.com/2009/06/21/gifts-of-the-holy-spirit/

Almost every year I receive a Christmas gift that is a mystery.  Oh, its not about the giver -- it is about me.  I am talking about the moment of wonder about what was going on in the person's mind when they said "Aha, this is the gift for Pamela!" 

Truth be told, there are some folks in my life who seem to have a tendency to select and give the type of present that makes me ask, "Oh, did I really need one of these?" or, ""So what am I going to do with this?"  In those cases, I usually try to appreciate the gesture of generosity even though I am clueless about the ultimate function of the gift.  Sometimes they are just for fun.  Other gifts have a use that is discovered in the days or weeks ahead.  Others are simply "white elephants" that will get relegated to a cupboard and passed on to another unsuspecting recipient, maybe next year. 

Think about spiritual gifts.  We know that the giver has an intention.  We know, too, that it may take time and patience for us to discover what we have been given.  Sometimes we don't even willingly open up the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  We may believe the words of scripture -- that each of the baptized is gifted in a way that fits in the body of Christ. 

But we need to go deeper.  There is more to the story.  

The total meaning of the gifts is revealed in their release into the world.  Belief in the gifts given expands into life changing action when we regularly offer all that we have been given for God to use for the good of others.   

Human lives are transformed when Spiritual Gifts are opened.  Not only is the recipient's life changed by the gift's emergence, but all lives that connect to the utilization of that gift are transformed as well.  And, ultimately, all of the Gifts working together will "measure up to the full stature" of Christ, the manifesation of God's Love! 

So, go ahead, open up the gift that has been given to you.  You may need assistance unwrapping it -- aid is available through scripture, prayer and conversation with others.  Once it is open, hold it lightly, for God has something in mind for its use!