August 31: Insight Post by Kim Feld
Monday Insight Post
by Kim Feld
As we wrap up this month of focusing on service, our first scripture passage highlights an important principle: God gives us spiritual gifts to benefit others. Let’s take a look at what Peter has to tell us:
10God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11 (NLT)
We can look at gifts, even spiritual gifts, as meant solely for us, but these verses show they are meant to be used to serve others. I see this as another example of God’s upside-down kingdom. The world tells us to look out for and make things better for ourselves. God tells us to do that for others.
These verses also highlight that all of us receive a spiritual gift. Have you ever considered what yours might be? I find that God often uses others to confirm our gifting, so asking those close to you what they see in you as a spiritual gift can be a good starting point.
Have you ever considered that your everyday actions can either point people to Jesus or away from Him? Last week, I wrote about the need for our God-walk to match our God-talk. People are watching how we live our lives every day. What we post online, and the words we use with our friends, co-workers, spouse, and children, all have an impact. Our entire lives, including our gifts, are meant to reflect Jesus. If you and I want to be like Jesus, He gave us an example of service to follow.
Over the past month as you have looked at service, what place do you feel it has in your life? Are there any changes you would like to make as a result of what you have learned this month? We are all a work in progress, but the great news is that God doesn’t give up on us.
Kim Feld
Executive Director of Education and Outreach
New Hope Church
Lorton, Virginia
newhope.org