God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God’s many kinds of blessings.
1 Peter 4:10 (TLB)
You are probably one of those who often say that God gave a special gift to X or Y but gave nothing to you. This is a statement I often hear among Christians. Sometimes it comes in the form of a question, "Why hasn't God given me a gift to serve Him when X has the gift of teaching or singing?" The real problem with those who think this way is that they define gift based on what they themselves would like to do.
The gift is a spiritual ability received from the Holy Spirit for the glory of God and the edification of God's people. However, your beautiful voice does not mean that you have received the gift of singing, your intelligence does not mean that you have received the gift of knowing everything. Your gift has nothing to do with what suits you, your talent or your intellectual capacity, nor does it aim to satisfy others. Never forget that its purpose is to edify your assembly.
How do you know you have a gift? Look within yourself for what you do very well and this affects the hearts of others without any intellectual effort on your part or need for your potential. You feel it coming on its own, you go with the flow naturally and it becomes one with you like it's something you've been doing for years. This is the result that should convince you that it really comes from the Holy Spirit; Others are to be edified, encouraged, and God’s name is to be glorified.
May the grace and peace of God be with you all.
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