In wrapping up some posts on knowing who you are, I must add that I believe the crux to all this - strengths, passions, gifts - is that we are most true to ourselves when we find our identity in Christ.
Walking in a deep and abiding relationship with Christ brings us closer to the true self that God created us to be. Thomas Merton in his book, New Seeds of Contemplation, explains that one discovers himself by discovering God. It is in God that the reason and fulfillment of one's existence is found. Without him, we lose sight of who we are. Left to myself, with a desire to exist outside of God’s will and love, I become an illusion, covered up by deception. So, in a sense, one aspect of salvation is redemption from my own deceived self. I believe this is what Paul meant in his letter to Timothy when he wrote, "Watch your life (how you live) and doctrine (what you believe) closely, for by it you will save both yourself and your hearers."
Living in the truth of who God is, we find ourselves... operating in our strengths, passions, and gifts to His honor and glory. Hmmm, maybe this is one aspect of what Jesus meant when he spoke of humanity being "lost"- he rejoices when we "find" in Him the truths of our own identity, because he knows that it is in this discovery that we will make our greatest unique impact in the world.
Be true to yourself...
10.16.2008
10.08.2008
God-given gifts...
In addition to strengths and passions, I cannot miss the fact that we also have God-given gifts. There is so much that could be shared about the gifts, but simply put... they are given uniquely to each one of us by God through His Spirit, to be used for the benefit of others, for His glory.
N.T. Wright suggests this is how “Jesus makes the church into his own ‘fullness’, giving us his own presence by the Spirit.” He goes on to say, “What matters is that, even with all the different gifts that Jesus has lavished on the church, it is the same Jesus, the same Lord, who is personally present, by the spirit, in each of them.”
You’ll find lists of the different gifts in the following three passages in scripture – Romans 12:1-8, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4:11-13. Each gift is of equal value, not to be neglected. They range from helping others, to teaching, to giving, to administration, and so many others. The important thing is that we use our gifts! 1 Peter 4:10 (NLT) speaks to this: “God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God’s generosity can flow through you.”
I find it interesting that both the Romans and 1 Corinthians passages on the gifts are followed up with the importance of doing all things in love. “Love must be sincere,” Paul says in Romans 12:9. And most people are familiar with 1 Corinthians 13 that rings with the message that we can use all the gifts, but if “I didn’t love others, I would be of no value whatsoever.”
Strengths. Passions. Gifts.
Done in love.
Give God glory.
N.T. Wright suggests this is how “Jesus makes the church into his own ‘fullness’, giving us his own presence by the Spirit.” He goes on to say, “What matters is that, even with all the different gifts that Jesus has lavished on the church, it is the same Jesus, the same Lord, who is personally present, by the spirit, in each of them.”
You’ll find lists of the different gifts in the following three passages in scripture – Romans 12:1-8, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4:11-13. Each gift is of equal value, not to be neglected. They range from helping others, to teaching, to giving, to administration, and so many others. The important thing is that we use our gifts! 1 Peter 4:10 (NLT) speaks to this: “God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God’s generosity can flow through you.”
I find it interesting that both the Romans and 1 Corinthians passages on the gifts are followed up with the importance of doing all things in love. “Love must be sincere,” Paul says in Romans 12:9. And most people are familiar with 1 Corinthians 13 that rings with the message that we can use all the gifts, but if “I didn’t love others, I would be of no value whatsoever.”
Strengths. Passions. Gifts.
Done in love.
Give God glory.
10.05.2008
Mike and Joni!
Mike and Joni were home this weekend for his brother's wedding. We loved every minute we got to spend with them! Take a quick scroll through our time together...
An afternoon of bowling.
Our favorite bowling alley in downtown Holland
has closed down :(, so we ended up at Century Lanes.
The guy below had "all marks" on his game.
Yep, that's Dennis' 212 score you see.
What more can I say?
84 East - Mike and Joni's favorite place to eat!
Couldn't pass up the candy store!
This one's for Kari :).
Mike & Joni went to Watermark.
Dennis' parents joined Dennis & I as we visited
Frontline Church in GR and
we all met up for a Chinese buffet.
So great to have you Mike & Joni.
We're going to miss you!
An afternoon of bowling.
Our favorite bowling alley in downtown Hollandhas closed down :(, so we ended up at Century Lanes.
The guy below had "all marks" on his game.Yep, that's Dennis' 212 score you see.
What more can I say?
84 East - Mike and Joni's favorite place to eat!
Couldn't pass up the candy store!
This one's for Kari :).
Mike & Joni went to Watermark.Dennis' parents joined Dennis & I as we visited
Frontline Church in GR and
we all met up for a Chinese buffet.
So great to have you Mike & Joni.We're going to miss you!
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