We all have been blessed with gifts from God. What puzzles me is that we are not always equally blessed with the means to use them. If I have the gift of wisdom, but do not share it because I see no point in casting pearls before swine, of what use is the gift? If I have the gift of healing but do not apply it because I fear the consequences of the unmediated intimacy it requires, of what use is the gift to anyone? And what do you do about a gift you didn’t ask for and don’t want? Or the gift you want, but never receive.
An answer for me is found at the end of this chapter and the beginning of the next. After his gift list and admonition that no one should expect to have them all, Paul writes, “But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.” Then he continues in chapter 13, “…if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.”
So there ya go! The answer is in the “more excellent way,” that is, love. Love is the motivator for using my gifts. Without love, the gifts don’t accomplish much, even if they are used. The gift I want and pray for is the ability to love—a more excellent gift than any God has given me so far.
—Laura Gregg
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