To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit…

I Corinthians 12:9a, NRSV

Most people can accept the others as gifts, bestowed by God where and when needed. But not faith. For whatever reason, people have convinced themselves that faith isn’t a gift. Faith has been redefined as a merit badge, something that any true believer can achieve with hard work and good intentions. It’s also been considered a sign that a person is a true follower, a way to identify who is really God’s beloved.

But faith is a given, a gift. It isn’t an achievement or an outward sign of an inward connection to God. It’s a gift given to some for the benefit of all. Not receiving faith is no more a mark of infidelity to God than not being able to heal others. We don’t get to choose our gifts, but we do get to choose whether we judge the state of our souls and the souls of others by its presence or absence.

Now there are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit…

ICorinthians 12:4-9, NRSV

Knowledge: knowing that a tomato is a fruit.

Wisdom: knowing not to put it in a fruit salad…

It’s easy to mistake knowledge for wisdom, to mistake someone who knows a great deal with someone who has the ability to foster life and love in daily living. Knowledge, even and perhaps especially Biblical or theological knowledge, can be applied in ways that bring the peace of God closer; it can also be used to inflict damage and incite hatred. Acts of terror, even genocide, have been committed in the name of faith, with perpetrators justifying their actions with Biblical quotes and theological justifications.

Wisdom is a perspective, an understanding; it is knowing that all good things are rooted in love – love for God, love for self, and love for neighbor. When wisdom guides knowledge, amazing and beautiful things come to pass.

Listen to those whose knowledge is vast; let them add depth to your understanding. But don’t forget that knowledge requires wisdom to keep it from harming God’s beloved creation and creatures.

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. I Corinthians 12:7, NRSV

There are any number of ways to use the gifts we have, numerous contexts for their growth. At times, it feels like there is only one place for our gifts; at others, the options are so many that it’s almost paralyzing. So how do we choose the right context? How do we know where and how to invest our time and effort growing our gifts?

When we remember that our gifts come from the Spirit, we know that they are precious and unique – and should be treated as such.

When we remember that our gifts aren’t for ourselves alone, that they manifest in us for the common good, we can avoid wasting them on self-centered pursuits that will benefit no one beyond ourselves.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. ICorinthians 12:4-6, NRSV

Gifts, services, activities – what we have to offer the world, the medium we choose to offer our gifts, and the actions we take to show our love for God, self, and neighbor. It’s the adventure of a lifetime to discern, pick, and work in ways unique to us – no one can offer what we can, and we cannot offer what someone else can. We shouldn’t waste our days worrying about whether we have gifts, or whether our gifts are worthy: we do, and they are.

So find your place, your service, where your gifts are needed. Put your heart into it. Accept the praise of others with thanks, and a grain of salt. Don’t mistake your worth with how others value or do not value you. Serve.

Remember, you are a delight to God. That’s why you are here, beloved child of the Creator.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. ICorinthians 12:4-6, NRSV

All of us are born with gifts unique to us. The combination of who we are, where we live, and the community that surrounds us affects how our gifts are recognized and fostered – or whether they are recognized and fostered at all. It’s why mentors are so important: they see in others something precious, and they offer their time, patience, and wisdom to help it grow.

But recognizing and investing aren’t enough – a mentor has to do this without trying to determine or definitively define the purpose for which the gift was given. That is up to the Spirit. But it takes trust in God and others to do this.

A mentor can’t co-opt another’s gift or path for recognition or benefit – it’s time to foster the accomplishments of others rather than add more accomplishments to one’s own list. Generosity and maturity are required to do this.

Sometimes, it’s not about the ones whose gifts we see so readily. Sometimes, it’s about taking the time to look deeply at those whose gifts aren’t visible – whose value has been overlooked or questioned. The gifts are there, no doubt.

Are we willing and able to see them?