“But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.” – 1 Corinthians 12:31

Before I get into more details of the confluence between Testing and Practicing mentioned in my last post I’d like to share a word about God’s gifting.

What Kind of Gift is This?

I once received a gift of a 12 by 10 ft. gazeebo for our back yard. It was something I really desired and was excited when the large 3 boxes were delivered. When I opened the boxes to see the thousands of pieces required to put it together it was a good thing I was not on top of a high-rise building. I would have jumped.

What kind of gift is this? Yes, I desired the gift but did I really want to go through all the work it would take to see it realized?

God’s gifts come in many packages – Physical, Emotional and Spiritual.

When we speak of the Spiritual Gifts detailed in the Bible many of us think of them as being given in a supernatural, miraculous and immediate way (I have no doubt that in some cases they are) – something like Paul being hit by a bolt of lightning. But, as far as I can tell those that exercise Spiritual gifts more often go through a process something like when we receive a gift that is valuable but requires discovery and learning and exercise to fully master the use of the gift.

Take a valuable but complicated machine or instrument as an example:

You receive the gift that you have desired. It is fully wrapped in wonderful packaging. What is required of you? You must first receive and open the gift. If it requires assembly, you must study the instruction (not a particular strength of mine) and assemble it. Then you must study how to use it – perhaps studying those who have become accomplished in the gift. Then you will practice with it and test your ability to effectively use it. As you practice you’ll fail and learn how to exercise the gift more effectively as you patiently persevere.

All of this is to master the gift you have been supernaturally given. This involves – receiving, studying/observing, exercising/practicing, testing, patiently persevering, to then be in-practice.

Back to the Apostle Paul

Even though Paul experienced a dramatic conversion, his gifts for ministry were developed over years of scripture study under the esteemed scholar Gamaliel before Paul’s conversion. And, even though Paul immediately preached in Damascus after his conversion, he spent three years, likely in prayer and study of the Scriptures while testing the gifts of God before embarking on his famous three missionary journeys that forever changed the world.

Testing to Testimony

If our desire is to display the gifts of God in their full glory then earnestly desiring God’s gifts requires dedication and persistence. Our God rewards those that diligently seek Him.

Psalm 122:4 – Where the tribes go up, The tribes of the Lord, To the Testimony of Israel, To give thanks to the name of the Lord.

As we raise up the level of the testing of our faith, we give testimony and thanksgiving to the God who responds!

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Thanksgiving – For this past year what do I give thanks for?

In spite of these turbulent times, I give thanks this year for . . .

• For Family and friends who God has sustained through another year of pandemic.
• For my closest family who I see God continuing to surround with demonstrations of His love and provision.
• For the sweet memories of those we have loved and lost.
• For a major change in our lives and the adventure of discovering the next phase of our journey
• For the Place of peace and hope that our community of faith provides to one another and to everyone who passes through our church doors.
• For God’s faithfulness and reality – particularly for those brothers and sisters who encourage me and each other to stretch our faith to see God show up in greater ways.
• For the truth that God has already overcome Bizarro World as Jesus declares in John 16:33 – “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

One particular example of God’s faithfulness we give thanks for is with our good neighbors Steve & Virginia who I highlighted in past posts. They experienced a devastating loss of their daughter Olivia in childbirth, but pressed on to give birth to beautiful Fiona. And now, this year they gave birth to a healthy baby boy!

I do not fully understand how all this works but I count all that is good to a faithful, loving God to whom today I humbly give all thanks.

Have a Wonderful Day of Giving Thanks!