Romans 12:6-8 (NLT) In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So, if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

Gifts are given for various reasons but the gift given with love is very special. God has showered his gift upon each one of us because he loves us deeply.

No matter how we feel about ourselves, the truth is that in his grace God has given us different gifts so that we can contribute to the body of Christ. In the above verses, we see that the gifts are all connected to giving to others by not only preaching and teaching but also by serving, encouraging, by being generous, leading, and by showing kindness. It’s the ability to give to others that makes our life purposeful and meaningful. Most of us seek meaning and purpose in order to feel significant but we end up looking in the wrong places. The world seems to tell us that only fame, fortune, position and status are the ways to feel important. (Romans 12:2) But in the kingdom, it is upside down. You do not have to be famous or rich or powerful to be able to contribute in a meaningful way. You just have to acknowledge the gift and use it gladly (1 Peter 4:10). The church is the community where we get to develop and utilize our gifts as each part does its special work lovingly to build up the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:16)

So today…as you bow to God in prayer, thank him for his gracious gift and decide to offer your best to the one who loves you the most and has gifted you in ways that is best suited for you. If in any way you are not sure about what your gift is, ask God to reveal it to you. It usually comes in opportunities to serve and give, in situations where we are required to stretch ourselves to love more and more.