What's Your Core Gift?

04 Jul 2010
'We have different gifts...' Romans 12:6
You may have several different gifts, but you must discover your core gift and build your life around it. David sensed that he was more than a shepherd; he was a king-in-the-making. Killing Goliath just gave him a chance to demonstrate it. Had he failed to realize that, he'd have gone back to tending sheep. What blinds us to our core gift? 1) Focusing on our flaws. Instead of focusing on our strengths we listen to our critics and rehearse the qualities that discourage us most. Be careful; the company you keep will either lift you or lower you. That's especially true of those who resent your success, because it reminds them of their own lack of it. 2) Envying the gifts of others. It's okay to appreciate others as long as you don't try to duplicate them. Instead of living in somebody's shadows, stand on their shoulders and glean from their wisdom. Be an Elisha; ask God for twice as much as your mentor. Uncommon people are just common people who recognise their core gift and put it to work. Paul speaks of seven different gifts: 'We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully' (vv. 6-8 NIV). What's your core gift? Discover it, develop it, and then dedicate it to God's highest service!