Bible Society: Pentecost Reflections Day 7

Hi Friend

Welcome to day seven of your Pentecost reflection series, unpacking the role of the Holy Spirit in Scripture and in our lives. Today we think about spiritual gifts …

Today’s Bible verses

1 Corinthians 12.4–14 (GNB) <https://biblesociety.cmail20.com/t/r-l-tyitjio-bilwlltil-r/>

‘There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them’.

Today’s reflection

     I’ve always loved football. Well into my 30s I would play on Wednesday evenings with a group of blokes who were all old enough to know better. We never agreed teams in advance – we would just separate into two teams on the night, depending on who was there. Some nights I would look at the two teams as they lined up and you could tell it was going to be a close game. Other nights, I would look at our team and theirs and think, ‘We’re in for a hammering here.’

     Occasionally, something beautiful would happen. Despite my worst fears, our team that looked like it should be soundly beaten suddenly clicked and we ended up winning the game. Every player knew their role – we defended together, attacked together, passed to each other, encouraged each other and felt that deep joy that comes from knowing that, against the odds, our team had prevailed. We’d done something that none of us thought we could do 50 minutes earlier.

     The alchemy of a team is truly a mysterious thing but when everyone plays their part, it’s amazing.

     The life of the Spirit is meant to have the same quality. In this famous passage, the apostle Paul talks about some of the gifts given by the Holy Spirit to help us be the church – gifts which reflect the grace of God to us:

     First, they are spiritual gifts. We all have natural gifts and these can of course be used for God too. But these particular gifts help us to do God’s work and see God’s kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven. For us to fully live the life of the Spirit we need the gifts of the Spirit.

     Second, they are for everyone. So often we limit gifts to the upfront people but in truth there are no first-class and second-class Christians – since we all receive the Spirit of Christ, Jesus gives gifts to each one of us. This means you have at least one gift like this that God can use for his glory. If you don’t know what gift that is yet, why not ask God to reveal it to you?

     Finally, they are for the common good. With the possible exception of the gift of angelic languages (usually called ‘tongues’) every one of the spiritual gifts is used to bless others – to encourage, heal, empower, pray for, give to or serve. We are blessed for blessing. When we say ‘God bless’ to someone, let’s not forget that sometimes we might be the answer to our greeting.

     God’s plan is for each one of us to receive gifts that we can offer to others, for their good, our joy and his glory. How might you use such a gift today? And how might God bless you through someone else?

These Pentecost reflections were written by Revd Matt Trendall, a minister working in Milton Keynes

Today’s prayer

Thank you for blessing us with spiritual gifts. Please reveal and confirm the spiritual gift(s) you have given to me. Help me to be a blessing to others and use this gift wisely. Please reveal to me somebody I can bless. Spirit, guide me today.

Today’s action

Take a moment today to consider how you can use your gift(s) to bless somebody else.