Written by Dynamis Ministries | April 18, 2024
Not being wanted hurts. One of the best illustrations might be an elementary school playground where the captains are taking turns choosing players for their team until someone is the last child standing. No one seems to want them for their side, and this is so heartbreaking! We’ve all been there — maybe not on a playground but in other arenas. Not getting the lead role in the school musical, turned down after a job interview, overlooked as an elder at church, denied partner at the firm, the list goes on and on. We all know what it is like to not be wanted. Sometimes these experiences create enough pain in our lives to leave us feeling little or no worth.
The pain we feel from these experiences is real, but what we think about ourselves as a result is often a lie. Here’s the truth: What you uniquely have to offer is wanted. You are chosen! As a matter of fact, you are so important and so valuable that the world needs you at your best. The Apostle Paul speaks to this in one of his most famous writings about spiritual gifts recorded in 1 Corinthians 12. Check out some of what he says:
“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all…”
“A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other…”
“All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.”
When reading this in the context of the entire chapter, what Paul is saying is that the Holy Spirit has purposefully bestowed each of us with different spiritual gifts, and our individual gifts uniquely equip us to help others in very special ways. We are each given a 10 on the talent scale in one or more areas because of our God-given spiritual gifts.
The implications of this are astounding. Because of God’s diverse generosity towards us, we are all blessed in different ways and therefore play an integral role in carrying out his mission on this earth. This means that you are chosen by God! He has picked you and has graciously equipped you with unique spiritual gifts that can be used in significant ways for his redemptive plan. When we cultivate our spiritual gifts, we are allowing God to work more powerfully through us and also living more generously because we will be using our gifts to help others in impactful ways!
What spiritual gifts has God given you that you can use to generously help others? If you have never uncovered your spiritual gifts, you may want to consider doing a Generosity Plan with Dynamis as this is a significant part of the process. If on the other hand you are aware of your spiritual gifts, how are you developing them in your life today? Because of God’s great love, he has chosen each one of us to serve a unique role in his Kingdom. Let’s not take this responsibility lightly. Let’s live into this calling by cultivating and generously using our spiritual gifts by helping others. In doing so, not only will we be getting closer to living out our best generosity, but we will be living into the fullness of who God created us to be!
