5 All in Us

As we’ve seen, all of Jesus’ followers – those whom He has sealed with His Spirit for eternity – have, by default, the potential to have all the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the big gift. All gifts lie resident in him. From his Fountainhead all rivers flow.

The idea that every disciple of Christ carries the inner potential for all the gifts can be a bit humbling. For the person who yearns to be totally surrendered to God’s will on a moment by moment basis, it can even be a bit unnerving. God has the prerogative to call forth any gift he deems fit for any situation of warrant. In other words, we shouldn’t be surprised if, from time to time, we find ourselves in uncharted territory; we find ourselves being called to step into gifts that are foreign to - that lie outside of - our normal gift mix.

Talk about adventure!

I was once in a church when the Pastor invited the congregation to share any words, images, visions, and so on that would serve to edify the assembly gathered. “When the Lord prompts you, just stand up, there where you are, and share what you’re getting from your seat. Be sure to speak up so everyone can hear you,” he said.

At once I had a vivid impression which I knew was from God. With that came the knowledge that He was wanting me to stand up and share the impression with the 250+ other people in the room – which was completely out of the question for me. In fact, the whole idea of standing up and saying a “thus saith the Lord,” just sort of freaked me out. Up to that point I had never done anything like that before. “Besides,” I argued. “You don't understand, Lord. Prophecy isn’t my spiritual gift.”

A long period of silence followed, during which I went through intense internal tension. It seemed like everybody in the room was waiting for me to stand up and share “the word.” I resisted. Still we waited. It was excruciating. I sat there thinking, "Lord, you're just going to have to get somebody else to do this thing because I'm not going to move." More time passed. Peoples’ shoes were beginning to scuffle on the floor. Others began to cough and let out long sighs.

Just when I could take it no longer – and much to my relief – the man next to me squirmed in his chair uneasily, let out a long sigh, slowly rose to his feet, and awkwardly shared a prophetic word. I could tell he was as uncomfortable as I was. But he did it. And the clincher was his word carried much of the same elements of the vivid impression that God gave me to share - all of which was followed by a number of "Amens" and Hallelujahs," I might add!

I was unnerved. "Dude - you could have done that!" And, as the service continued, I found myself realizing I has lost out on a wonderful opportunity - the opportunity to do something big for God - all because I “didn’t have that gift.”

So much for human reasoning.

Since then I’ve noticed that God will call me into situations that warrant action that I am either ungifted or uncomfortable with. When I see the same thread of love flowing through me I understand that God is God - he can use me in anyway he deems fit. And afterwards, when I see fruit, I am awestruck all the more because I know, without a doubt it wasn’t me. It was God in me.

Lesson learned: Know your gifts; and know who’s the Lord over all the gifts. Be on the lookout: God has the right to call out any gift at any time needed. If we choose (like I did) to quench the Spirit's leading, it;s not like we’ll loose our salvation or anything - only the privilege of being an instrument and giving glory of the Lord. We’re not going to hold him up. With or without us he's going to get His word out anyway. If we say, “No thank you, Lord - not today, I have a headache,” he'll just move around the room until He finds someone more available to his leading.

Are you ready for that?

It’s risky business - to be sure. But I’m convinced that the great adventure rides on the crest of this type of openness. This is where little people do big things for God. Maybe you don’t think of yourself as someone who could do big things for God. And you are not. Perhaps, better said, you are somebody wherein God can use to do big things for others.

So this short chapter’s summary comes in the form of a gentle admonishment to maintain a posture of openness to the Holy Spirit. When you sense the leading of the Spirit in anything - and I mean in anything - why not take the risk and step up to the up to the plate?