1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (NIV) - “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.”

In this season of gift giving, we may have tracked through several malls, dozens of stores, looked at multiple websites, all to find that perfect gift for someone special. It brings to mind a picture of being gathered together and each person receiving his or her gift and excitedly opening it to see what they got. Our passage today speaks of how we have received gifts through the Holy Spirit, “to one there is given…to another…to another…and still to another.” There’s a sense of abundance and fullness of the gift-giving that is going on here and what makes it even more incredible is that it’s not like a white elephant gift exchange where you come with a general gift for no one in particular; the Spirit distributes and determines each gift to each one.

Why the gifts? Because God is at work through them for the common good, the building up of His people and church. Just as children eagerly desire to see lots of gifts under the tree, we are encouraged to desire spiritual gifts. And just as disappointing as it is for parents who searched weeks on end to give their child that one special gift they were asking for to have them play with it for fifteen minutes and move on, how unexciting is it for us to not make use of the gifts God has given us through His Spirit? At times we may not know what gifts we have but the only way to find out is to engage in the works of God. Engage in encouraging, in serving, in sharing with others, in acts of compassion and mercy, in praying for healing, in intercession and as you do, the work of the Spirit becomes evident.

As we anticipate the opening of gifts through the next couple of days, let’s also pray and ask for greater release, use and effectiveness of the gifts we have received through the Holy Spirit. Let’s engage in the works of God this week empowered by the Holy Spirit who has determined and distributed to us the very gifts needed to do them.

-AK