The Most Special Gift - Martin Wiles

He has given each one of us a special gift according to the generosity of Christ. Ephesians 4:7 NLT

Peer pressure caused me to want it. When I received it, it was the most special gift I’d ever been given.

In the early 1970s, banana-seat bicycles were popular. Why I’m not sure. Perhaps it was because they took on the shape of a motorcycle. Nestled on the seat with my fingers caressing the grips attached to the high handlebars made me dream of the day I’d ride a motorcycle with the same kind of bars—although that never happened. A sissy bar, slithering from the back tire up and beyond the back of the banana seat, completed the ensemble. Although what color it was has escaped me, the memory of getting it has not.

Parents give children gifts because they love them. God does too. We call them gifts of the Spirit because God’s Spirit resides in us and gives us the authority and power to use them. Much like my parents permitted me to ride my bicycle.

God’s most special gift is salvation. Beyond that, he gives other gifts that enable us to do his work in this world. Believers debate whether all these gifts remain active and whether the lists are complete. But more importantly, we all have at least one gift. Some believers have more. What’s pertinent is what we’re doing with the gift.

We can discover our gifts through prayer, noticing what comes easily to us, and listening to what others tell us they see God doing through us. Knowing our gifts is important, but using them is crucial. Putting my bike under the garage and never riding it would have been ludicrous. I planned to use what I madly craved.

God can take away gifts when we don’t use them—just as I sell or give away things I no longer use. How we employ our gifts to serve Him and others is as varied as the personalities of the people to whom God scatters the gifts. But if we open our eyes and tune our spirits to his Spirit, He’ll give us opportunities and show us how to take advantage of them.

Find your gift . . . and use it.

Father, thank You for gifting me so I might be effective in Your service. Give me many opportunities to use what You’ve given me. 

Tweetable: What is your most special gift? 

Don't forget to add your comments below. 

Thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram. Help us spread God's encouragement through His Love Lines.