We say we want to do the will of God. But often we are unsure of what that is for our lives.

A useful guide is to be found in 1 Cor. 12:11.

“But one and the same spirit is active in all these types, distributing to each as He wills.” 

This verse appears right after the listing of the spiritual gifts. I have observed that there is a great deal of confusion regarding the differences between the spiritual gifts and the motivational gifts. I hope to clarify this issue in this post.

In the above scripture reference I would encourage you to take note of the word “Distributed.”

Remember that this verse refers to the spiritual gifts. The distribution of these gifts are specific to the set of circumstances. Our God, the Great Orchestrator, knows what is needed and when.

So, part of the answer to what should I do with my life has to do with being willing to receive and operate the spiritual gifts.

But we are not constantly given an unction, or desire to act in this way, are we?

The key to understanding the difference between the Spiritual Gifts and the Motivational gifts lies in knowing that the Motivational Gifts are a permanent part of your design. This is evidenced by the segue between the spiritual and the motivational to be found in 1 Cr. 12:18.

“But now God has placed in each one of the parts in one body just as He wanted.”  

The analogy to body parts follows. An eye and an ear have separate functions, which stay consistent to their design. That is true of the motivational gifts. Since you are designed to perform a distinct function within the body, operating your motivational gift is automatically doing the will of God. (And you will find it is easier than doing whatever else you might think is the thing to do.)

So, to summarize, we have 2 guides as to what to do with our lives. When in the situation where you are called to do something that is specific to the time and place, or the person you are intended to impact, operating the appropriate gift of the spirit is called for. The timeliness of the need is why it is so important to act on the calling immediately. (As someone must have said, “deferred obedience is disobedience.” – as in Jonah)

But what to do with the rest of your life?

Operating your motivational gift is how you fill in those gaps, staying in the will of God by so doing.

If you are not familiar with what the Spiritual and Motivational Gifts are, see the next post.

In my work on the 3 types of gifts that God has put in us individually I’ve wanted to express to His glory how intricate His work is.

So imagine my pleasure when I found it was said better than I ever could in a book of quotes by C.S. Lewis. It is to be found in his book “The Problem of Pain”. (Chap. 10, para. 3, page 147.)

“He [God] makes each soul unique. If He had no use for all these differences, I do not see why He should have created more souls than one. Be sure that the ins and outs of your individuality are no mystery to Him; and one day they will no longer be a mystery to you.”

This speaks to me of what jazzes me about coaching people on discovering their gifts, which is what defines their individuality. Discovering your gifts while you are still here awakens you to act in obedience to fulfill God’s original purpose for creating you in the first place.

How overwhelming it is to try to conceive of the complexity involved in His orchestrating all these individuals, with each having their own unique combinations of gifts and place in history.

How many times have you let an opportunity to operate your gifts get away? I can’t count them in my life.

Besides being sad for the loss of blessings for others, and yourself, consider the cause. Recent reading has opened my eyes to what causes the majority of these unfortunate experiences to occur.

Fear.

The first example I’ll cite is Luke 1:30…

“Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”      (HCSB)

Remember now, this was said by the messenger Angel, Gabriel. Imagine the fear his striking figure would cause. But his purpose was call her to doing something great for God.

Fear often stops us from fulfilling our purpose, and using our gifts to do God’s will.

But in the modern world it is more likely to be caused by a different problem than being overwhelmed by the greatness of what we are being sent to do. What we often think are minor things, can make all the difference in the world to the one we are sent to bless with our obedience to doing the will of God.

The different obstacle I refer to is fear of man. Worrying about a message not being received, and thereby looking foolish, is fear of man. Better to fear the missed opportunity, no?

Another great example of being told not to fear can be found in Luke 1:13.

Even before the need for Jesus to be born of a virgin came the angelic announcement proceeding the birth of the prophet John. His father, Zechariah, was overcome with fear.

But the angel said to him,

“Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John.”      (HSCB)

(She was previously barren.)

The last example I’ll give here is when King David was advising his son Solomon in 1 Chron. 28:20.

“Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He won’t leave you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the Lord’s house is finished.”

Ok, let’s face facts. You and I are no Solomon, Elizabeth or Mary. Maybe what we are being asked to do in the operation of our gifts may seem small by comparison. It is good to remember it’s not the size of the seed that counts. Since it is God who gives the increase, who are we, stuck in time and so very limited in our perspective, to diminish the multiplied effects of the smallest bit of obedience on our part?

The missed opportunities are in the past. Let them be under the blood of Christ. But your present and future? Ahh, that is another thing.

(Sometimes you just have to do the work.)