Gifted

"Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: if prophecy, in proportion to the faith; if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, in teaching; if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity; if one is over others, with diligence; if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness." -Romans 12:6-8

In the Christian faith, we know, at least on an intellectual level, that we each have unique gifts given to us by God to further His kingdom. On an emotional level, we often feel quite lacking when confronted with the likes of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta or Saint John Paul the Great, who many of us have had the chance to see and study within our lifetimes. Even more personally, there are people in all of our lives who radiate various charisms, the name given to the spiritual gifts each of us are given. Those people seem to have been especially blessed, filled with the Spirit, and on a higher plane; we attribute it to some sort of spiritual favoritism.

In reality, each of us have been given charisms (I'm convincing myself of this truth in my life as I write, don't worry), but many, I dare say most, of us have not spent the time discerning and developing these gifts. Just like someone given incredible athletic talent spends untold hours refining their skills, so, too, we must put the same effort into our charisms. We spend so many hours and days (at least I do) begging God to show us His plan for our lives, to tell us what to do, and yet we don't recognize the tools He has placed in our bag as a clue.

At the St. Mary's Young Adult Group last night, Scott discussed that in baptism, we share in the mission of Christ. His mission--namely, to bring about the Kingdom of God on earth--is our mission. Determining and strengthening our charisms is the best way to engage in our mission. Many people have written about the charisms. Sherry Weddell's "The Catholic Spiritual Gifts Inventory" is perhaps the most well-known and widespread for Catholics, certainly the one I've heard the most about. Thanks to my compulsive-online-shopping sister, we now have a copy of the Inventory, Workbook, and Workshop DVD in our (her) possession.

Administration, celibacy, craftsmanship, discernment of spirits, encouragement, evangelism, faith, giving, healing, helps, hospitality, intercessory prayer, knowledge, leadership, mercy, missionary, music, pastoring, prophecy, service, teaching, voluntary poverty, wisdom, writing.

I admit I was surprised by my results, both to realize that certain things I've taken for granted in my life (powerful experiences of intercessory prayer, for example) are actually gifts to help further the kingdom, and to see that many of the things I regret not being better at (hospitality, music) aren't really the things that God is calling me to do anyways. The book explains that "charisms shouldn't be a penance", that we should enjoy using our gifts for His glory. Not only that, but your gifts should be effective, that is, bear fruit; and should be affirmed by others.

There are full-length parish workshops devoted to identifying and developing your charisms, but I think the first step is to know they exist, to pray about them, and to look for confirmation in your own life of how God already uses you. And if anyone wants to complete the Inventory, come on over.