My ward is like magic. It really is. Almost every Sunday I feel the strong presence of the spirit. I get more out of church and more consistently than I have at any other time of life.
Last week in Sunday School we talked about spiritual gifts. I don't remember if the teacher challenged us, or if I just decided to do this myself, but I wrote down two questions to ask: What spiritual gifts do I have? What spiritual gifts does the Lord want me to cultivate?
There are several spiritual gifts discussed in D&C 46. Of the ones listed in that chapter, I think I have the gift to believe the words of those who know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and to continue faithful.
I think I've always had the gift of obedience. I don't disobey authority for the sake of being rebellious. I like the status quo simply because it's more inconvenient to do otherwise. This isn't just in a spiritual/church context. I have an inherent respect for authority, although I don't fear authority figures. If I see a good reason to act a different way than is expected though, I will. I don't follow blindly; I simply choose to follow until I recognize a compelling reason not to. That reason has never presented itself, while many compelling reasons to keep on the path of obedience have manifested themselves along the way.
As for the gifts the Lord would like me develop, I think those come as the need arises. These gifts aren't just arbitrary qualities; they are given to a purpose. Without that purpose, it will be harder to recognize them in ourselves. I think that's often why others can see our spiritual gifts better than we can.
Last week in Sunday School we talked about spiritual gifts. I don't remember if the teacher challenged us, or if I just decided to do this myself, but I wrote down two questions to ask: What spiritual gifts do I have? What spiritual gifts does the Lord want me to cultivate?
There are several spiritual gifts discussed in D&C 46. Of the ones listed in that chapter, I think I have the gift to believe the words of those who know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and to continue faithful.
I think I've always had the gift of obedience. I don't disobey authority for the sake of being rebellious. I like the status quo simply because it's more inconvenient to do otherwise. This isn't just in a spiritual/church context. I have an inherent respect for authority, although I don't fear authority figures. If I see a good reason to act a different way than is expected though, I will. I don't follow blindly; I simply choose to follow until I recognize a compelling reason not to. That reason has never presented itself, while many compelling reasons to keep on the path of obedience have manifested themselves along the way.
As for the gifts the Lord would like me develop, I think those come as the need arises. These gifts aren't just arbitrary qualities; they are given to a purpose. Without that purpose, it will be harder to recognize them in ourselves. I think that's often why others can see our spiritual gifts better than we can.
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