1 Corinthians 12:7-8
“A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge.”
Throughout my college years, I was blessed enough to be part of my church’s “Core Team.” Our Core Team prepped retreats for high schoolers, ran Youth Nights, and created a safe place for teenagers to share their life experiences, process their concerns, and grow in their faith.
Each year, we took our junior group to a retreat center in the mountains. The retreat was always themed, but regardless of the central theme, we always did one specific activity. In the “Chapel Under the Stars” we set out candles on the altar along with a series of envelopes. Inside the envelopes, there were papers shaped like a flame, which represented the flames from the Pentecost. On the flame was one of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and some information on that particular gift. Of the seven (wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord), I received the same gift four times: the year I attended the retreat as a student, and the three years I was a leader on the retreat.
The point of the exercise was to discover what the Holy Spirit has gifted you with. We felt the envelope you chose was really an act of divine intervention, and that the Holy Spirit intended for you to choose the envelope you did. As Christians, we are given all seven gifts, but I was raised to believe we all have one gift in particular that we are chosen to use for Christ. I genuinely believe this little activity meant something, considering I picked up the same gift four years in a row: knowledge.
In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul the Apostle writes to the people of Corinth to specifically talk about these gifts. He informs the people that we have these gifts “so we can help each other.” How so? Using the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we are not only able to set an example through our words and actions, but also utilize them in a way to attract others to Christ.
For example, using the gift of knowledge, I aspire to show others the world through God’s eyes. This gift allows us to understand the vastness and greatness of God, and see life through His perspective. With these things in mind, it helps us form correct judgements and make better decisions. Using this gift, we can aim to help our peers see the world as God sees it, creating a different mindset that allows us to give ourselves more fully to Him.
Today I encourage you to pray and search your heart for what gift you feel the Holy Spirit has given you. How can you use this gift to bring others closer to Christ?