The gifts, the calling, the assignment

“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.” Romans 12,6-8 (NLT)

Gifts! There are, what I may call, spiritual gifts and natural gifts (also known talents).

All human beings have a gift whether they know it or not, whether they've developed it or it is just dormant in them. It is with these gifts that men are relevant in this world and offer value to others, and it is from these gifts/talents that they also receive value.

Spiritual gifts, on the other hand, are given when somebody receives salvation (the Lordship of Jesus Christ) and thus receives the Holy Spirit. These spiritual gifts come from the Holy Spirit and they help other believers and non-believers too, for the welfare of their souls.

Spiritual gifts are not a sign of maturity, they are just gifts given to those who have believed in the Lord Jesus. And they differ in expression, as we've seen in the opening Scriptures.

Looking back, I personally, have never really dug deep into knowing my gifts (natural and spiritual). Maybe because I didn’t know how to or I was not convinced enough as to why I should do it. However, I knew what I was passionate about.

Although natural passions change and evolve with time and as we grow, I have found that some passions (spiritual) are really at the core of our being and they remain constant.

Ecclesiastes 3,11 says that God has set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

I believe it is from this place that people start to think about their lives and its purpose.

However, some questions seem to be difficult to answer and therefore people give themselves the easy answers. Answers that come from what they have been exposed to or the experiences they have had in their life.

“For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.]” Romans 11,29 AMPC

As shared in recent posts, God has a plan and a purpose for each person on earth. This plan is what I would name: the call or calling.

A person’s calling is multifaceted. A person can be called to be a parent, a spouse, an innovator, an inventor, an entrepreneur, a pastor, a prophet, a teacher, a helper, a deliverer, a pillar, etc.

A call or calling is what God has designed for the individual to do. It is their service to God and to mankind.

Now, here comes in the gifts: the gifts are given to help in fulfilling the call/calling. Since the beginning, it was not God’s mind for man to struggle. Gifts are special graces, abilities given by God to do the work well and with ease.

It is important to note that God is not limited in giving gifts. If we were not born with a certain gift but the gift is relevant in the execution of God’s plan for our lives, it’s only right to desire it and ask God for it. It’s also proof that we are willing to be participant in God’s work. James 1,5 says: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.” Ezekiel 3,17 NIV

A calling is not enough. Jesus said: “For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22,14 NKJV)

Unfortunately, not all respond to the call and not all stay the course of the preparation.

There is a journey of preparation into appointment.

In the Scripture above, God told the prophet Ezekiel: “I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel”.

This was an appointment! We can see the same pattern with many individuals in the Bible: ‘I have made you king’, ‘I have made you ruler’, ‘I have appointed you to be/to do..” These appointments come with specifications and restrictions. For example, Ezekiel, yes he was a prophet but God gave this distinct description: a ‘watchman’ and ‘for the people of Israel’.

When someone is appointed, it means God has given the green light for them to fully function in their calling. They sit on their 'throne'. They walk in the authority and power of what God has made them to be.

On a sidenote, this is the reason why there should never be competition between individuals. Because, in God’s kingdom, there is space for everybody and what each person does is different. For example, there were many prophets in the Bible, but each one of them had their distinction. They are all important and all valuable. This may not be so in the eyes of men but to God it is so. Because remember, the goal is to serve Him and we serve Him the way He wants to be served.

Furthermore, an appointment is a responsibility.

This is why God wants absolutely to prepare us, to equip us and to form us for the work.

Whatever God does is big. Often times, if not always, our minds need to expand and to adjust to the greatness that God has for us. It is in this process that the “assignment” is revealed.

The assignment alludes to purpose. It's the mandate, it's the 'job description'.

In the general sense, God’s heart is for mankind; for their salvation (in all that this implies). God loves people, He wants to see them whole and in relationship with Him.

It is with this heart that God anoints individuals. God pours out His Spirit on people who understand this and are willing to serve Him.

“Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” 1Corinthians 4,2 NIV

Now, the journey to discovery is not a one-time occurrence, it's a life of consecration. Our consecrations continue (times of dedication and devotion to God), because there are levels and dimensions in callings.

God is always preparing us for the next level. But it starts from somewhere. There is a beginning.

In fact, God rewards faithfulness. Jesus said: “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.” (Luke 16,10 NLT)