(This post is part of a series in Lessons Abroad, learned and explained by my dear friend Alexander Hannis. His first post can be found here.)
I swear I’ve taken nearly a hundred spiritual gift tests
(who hasn’t?). I have listened to lectures, sermons, and academic debates on
the gifts. Heck, I’ve still got my sermon notes from when I preached on them.
I’m by no means a charismatic, and I’ve never been a cessasionist. Personally,
I’ve always taken more interest in the more mundane, non-miraculous spiritual
gifts. I praise God that he has created each believer to participate regularly in
different ways with different gifts for the benefit of the Body of Christ.
I spent the latter part of high school and most of college
distinguishing the gifts God has given me. Over time, it was revealed to me by
peers, professors, fellow church members, experience and of course the
all-knowing spiritual gift test that I have some ability and enjoyment to
teach. Now, I was probably more in my element at a Corner Bakery exegeting
Ephesians with 5 teens than I was on stage preaching to 100. Nevertheless, this
began to be one of the primary ways I desired to serve my church. Not because I
think they need to hear what I have to say, but because I felt this was one
specific way I could use my understanding of my gift for the Bride of Christ.
But the question I have learned to wrestle with over the
past nine months is this: What if you
are in a season in your life when you are unable to use your gift(s)? I
haven’t heard a sermon on that one yet. I left Cal Baptist as an affirmed
teacher. I showed up in East Asia as a student. I couldn’t speak the language.
I didn’t know the culture. I couldn’t help or teach anyone. I used to joke that
I felt like an adult baby everyday for the first few months. Since then I have
become more of a toddler, semi-self sustaining. But I’m not in any real,
consistent teaching role. And honestly, teaching is only one gift I haven’t
been able to use, and the one I chose to use as my example.
I’m still a student of this culture and language. And I will
be until the day I return to the States. So what have I been doing in the
meantime if I haven’t been using my gifts? The Spirit has worked and sanctified
me in new ways. That is, I have been forced to work on areas of my obedience
that have been lacking. One of the biggest examples would be hospitality. I
have been blessed with an above average sized apartment here. I use it
regularly to host my local (and sometimes foreign) friends. As I desire future
eldership, 1 Timothy 3 explains that he must be able to teach, but he must also
be hospitable. So is it possible that
the Lord has willed a season of learning instead of teaching, for the purpose
of a more well-rounded, humble journey of obedience? I think so.
Romans 8:28 explains that for all those who love God, all
things work together for good, for those who are called according to his
purpose. The purpose, I believe, is found in the following verse: to be
conformed to the image of his son, Jesus. Therefore, I have full confidence
that God is using this seemingly frustrating season of my life to further
sanctify and conform me to Jesus Christ.
All of this by means of other routes of service and obedience that I am
not necessarily comfortable or familiar with.
All glory be to God. Amen.
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Other Articles in this Series:
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