The
thread connecting the two readings becomes obvious: Jesus takes what is
ordinary and natural in our lives, such as our natural talents and abilities,
and supernaturally makes them extraordinarily useful to Him and for the
furthering of His Kingdom. Such is the
nature of the Gifts of the Spirit, This is how we can understand the way God
equips us to do the ministry to which He calls us.
Our
relatively young church family has grown because this dynamic of God gifting
people to do the ministry they are called to do. People have caught hold of what the Lord is
doing in this place, discerned how the Lord is calling them to be a part it,
and allowed God to empower them with the Spiritual Gifts needed to live into
the calling.
This
relates wonderfully to what we are learning on Wednesday nights. “Experiencing God” study series is teaching us
to look for where God is working, listen for His invitation to work with Him,
and then allow God to work through us in the accomplishing of His
purposes. Wednesday nights are also
teaching us that, when God calls us to do for others or be something to others,
the calling has what Henry Blackaby calls “a God-size dimension.” The calling, the task, the ministry, whatever
it is, is something we cannot do, as God intends for it to be done, without Him
gifting us with the ability to do it. We
are totally dependent on God for the ability to do what He Has called us to
do.
This
gifting for ministry has its source in our ongoing and intimate relationship
with God’s through His indwelling Holy Spirit.
Again, Blackerby in “Experiencing God” makes the very wonderful point
that the real gift is the gift of the Holy Spirit who takes up residence in us
and works in the world through us.
So
then, what do we do? Again turning to
our Wednesday night study, Blackerby tells us that we are to open ourselves to
the possibility of God working in us and through us for the sake of the world
around us. We are to invite God to
“gift” us with the ability to live into His purpose and calling for our
lives.
A
prayer for you…. Come, O Lord, and fill us your servant to overflowing with
your Holy Spirit. Grant the spiritual
gifts and empowerment for the ministry to which you have called us. Equip us to take our place in the Body of
Christ to which you have placed us. May to you be the glory. May your Kingdom grow firmly in us. May your Kingdom grow in the world through
us. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
Fr. Rob