You Have a Green Light

We carry the fragrance of Christ everywhere we go – work, school, the grocery store. Our spiritual gifts are not restricted to “church” use only.

The spiritual gifts that were graciously given to us should be lavished upon the community in which we live. As a matter of fact, I believe our gifts are more effectively used in the community than within the church.

Unfortunately, we feel as if we must be granted “permission” to use our gifts within church. But our community is hungry for our gifts.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to minister to a gentleman. I perceived there was a teaching gift within him. His mind automatically thought church, but I saw his vocation.

We must change our mindset. We must stop seeing ministry only in context of church and see ministry as a lifestyle. We must recognize we are ministers in the grocery store, at our jobs, in the doctor’s office, at school, as we volunteer at our children’s school.

Yesterday, I read a former student’s comments on their experience in my class. While they didn’t use these words, I could see how the students were blessed not only by my teaching gift but the gift of mercy, exhortation, and faith. Yes, even in the public school we can use our spiritual gifts.

Boys and girls, the world needs a demonstration of God’s love and power. He has given us the tools and gifts needed to accomplish this feat. However, we are hovering in our churches waiting for permission when God has given us the green light in the world.

So let’s go out and use the gifts God has given us and change our world.

“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:6-8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬