"For I long to see you that I may impart to you some spiritual gift,
so that you may be established."
Romans 1:11
I was teaching a group of teenagers years ago to help them discover their spiritual gifts. As their pastor, I wanted them to know the joy of discovering and using their ministry gifts to serve God by serving others. One young man said to me, "I don't have any gifts. I was standing behind the door when the Lord passed them out." Everyone laughed, but I assured him that all of God's children are gifted. After they took a gifts inventory, one by one they got excited as they saw how God was working in their lives.
All believers have ministry gifts. We read about them in Romans 12:6-8. There are seven ministry gifts mentioned. I know that mine is teaching. Do you know yours? Joy comes to all believers who discover and serve God through their ministry gifts. We are enabled to minister to others with God-given ability. He opens doors of opportunity for us to serve. It's then, that we find our specific ministry in the body of Christ. Our purpose in life is identified.
The apostle Paul wanted to establish believers in their ministry gifts. In the church, not everyone is a pastor, evangelist or missionary, but every believer is a minister. The word minister simply means servant. God distributes the gifts, as they are imparted through the church, for us to know the purpose and joy of our lives. God's children are gifted. Find your ministry.
Prayer: Father, help all of us as believers to discover and use our ministry gifts with the joy of serving others in Jesus name. Amen.
