Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with]liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:6-8)
WE HAVE GIFTS THAT DIFFER (illustrated by the animal metaphors below) as the Lord hard-wires each of our hearts with a couple of dominant gifts… sprinkles in bits of the other gifts… all of which makes us each unique and heavily impacts our perceptions, attitudes, conversations, and approach to life, until we grow in Christ-likeness when we will reflect more of the gifts. What are your two dominant gifts?
1 PROPHECY-Eagle. Declares the black & white heart truths of God. Born Leader; Visionary. * “Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord.” (Acts 14:2-6)
2 TEACHING-Tiger. Explains the comprehensive Biblical insights of God. Lifelong learner; Multi-layered. * “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food
solid food is for the mature….” (Hebrews 5:12, 14)
3 EXHORTATION-Dolphin. Motivates the Body of Christ to apply Gods truths. Life of Party; Joyful! * “Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together… but encouraging one another….” (Heb. 10:24-25)
4 ADMINISTRATION-Ant. Organizes & mobilizes the Body of Christ for ministry. Looks ahead; Detailed. * “Go to the ant, O sluggard, Observe her ways and be wise, Which, having no chief, officer or ruler, Prepares her food in the summer, And gathers her provision in the harvest.” (Proverbs 6:6-8)
5 SERVICE-Squirrel. Performing tasks backstage for others, and for Gods glory. Joyful worker; Projects; Private. * “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
6 GIVING-Honey Bee. Distributing the tangible gifts of God to others in His name. Generous; Alert; Humble. * “Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over….” (Luke 6:38)
7 MERCY–Dove. Comforting & reassuring others of their high value to God. Sensitive; Compassionate. * “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord… though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy….” (I Timothy 1:12-13)
The more we understand, embrace, and respect our own and other’s giftings, the better we can work together as we appreciate the differences instead of being threatened or frustrated by them! []
— Dr. Mark Gonzales * [email protected] * Ft. Myers, FL
