In Romans 15:15 Paul continues, “…because of the grace given me by God 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles…” He is explaining that he has written so boldly to the Romans, not because he thinks they are ignorant or misled but as a way of using the gift he believes he has been given by Christ Jesus to reach out to the Gentiles. He reminds me of Star Trek, “going where no man has ever gone.” I use to say that to my children when we drove across the fresh snow making tracks and “going where no man has ever gone.”
We do not all have that same sense of adventure. Some people are gifted to be farmers and work the fields while some of us have “itchy feet” as my father would accuse me of. I am thinking of gifting as people are writing their memories of my husband and how his life marked theirs. Not only are they rejoicing that now his six foot, six inch frame can stand tall and run but they are remembering his kind and gentle spirit that encouraged them.
We each have a gift and we each have a contribution we make to the on flow of life. If you were to finish the phrase, “because of the grace given me by God to….” What would you write? Can you say in one or two words what gifting gives you great joy to use and drives you forward without complaint? Take some time to identify it and perhaps think of someone else you could affirm for this week for their gifting that has blessed you.
On the Way to Wonder 