by Shawnte Pierce

Created on: January 31, 2009

"for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable." Romans 11:29 NIV

I belong to a few Christian online groups on a site called Black Planet, in one of these groups a sister in Christ asked basically if God gives us the tools we need to do his will, then why is it so hard? She also admitted that she most often is just doing it out of obedience. I had to stop and think on this one because a question came to my mind; Is what she is doing really what God's Holy Spirit has called her to do or is she doing what man is telling her is God's Will? I also wondered if she is confusing God's will for her life with obeying God's commands?

When God calls us to perform according to his will he gives us the tools or skills to perform them. We are inherently gifted at the things we like to do. I for one am inherently gifted with artistic skills, ranging from media arts to lyrical. God has used this to have me serve others with creating eye-catching presentations, writing poetry for programs, etc. I have always loved using my artistic skills from a toddler not being able to stay within the lines to an adult who can create texture by crushing pastel chalk into powder. Then there are gifts that are inherent to us but we do not discover them until later in life. I used to think that my fascination with taking things apart and putting them together again was just that, a fascination. However, I realized as an adult, that I was born with an analytic mindset that can be applied to a variety of situations and fields.

"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." Romans 12:6-8 NIV

Then for some we may be gifted beyond what we were born with. These gifts usually come upon us as we are maturing in our faith. These gifts are spiritual gifts and they are, to paraphrase 1 Corinthians 12:7, evidence of the Holy Spirit working through each individual for the common good. These gifts such as, knowledge and wisdom that comes from Spirit, the gift of healing, spiritual discernment, etc.

"To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same

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