Discovering your Spiritual Gift

I have never liked doing those exercises to discovery your gift.  It always seemed too mechanical rather than being open to the Holy Spirit.  Most of the time we do things based upon three criteria. 

First, ability.  What are you good at?  It was never likely that my Spiritual gift would be music.

Second, affinity.  What do you like to do?  There are somethings that I like to do that I have no ability and there are somethings that I have ability but I don't like doing them.

Third, opportunity.  When it comes to spiritual gifts this one is very important.  Many times people discover their giftedness by doing something that just needed to be done. 

I have never read the book but Kevin deYoung wrote a book about finding God's will called, Just do something.  I think we can apply the same principle to discovering your spiritual gift.  Just do something.

Where is the Lamb?

As the disciples gathered with Jesus in the upper room to celebrate the Passover they had the bread, the wine but they didn't have the lamb.  Some may have seen that as on oversight but not to Jesus.  He knew that they had the Lamb.  He was the Lamb.  As He took the bread and broke it He said that this was His body that would be broken for them but when He took the wine He said that it was the new covenant.  Everything was there.  Nothing was overlooked.

Three Words

There are three words that are associated with communion:

1. Remember

Communion is a dramatization of the Gospel.  When we take communion we are remembering the Lord's death.  It is more than recalling the events but it is reminding ourselves of why He came; why He died and what that means for us. 

2. Proclaim

Communion is the time when we proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to ourselves, our church and our community.

3. Anticipate

Communion is also a time when we look forward to the second coming of Jesus Christ.  It gives us hope because we know that when He returns He will make all things right.

When you partake of communion remember these three words.

Check Your Attitude.

Today I had to check my attitude.  I was looking forward to a morning of relaxation, study and preparing my lesson for Sunday.  However, I received a call from the store that I was needed to drive truck this morning.  I didn't want to and I resented being called.  After all, I think I do more than my share.  When I got to the store not only did I have to drive but the truck was still loaded from yesterday and before I could do anything else I had to unload.

Two things made me re-evaluate my attitude.  First, there are thousands of people who get to learn about Jesus and the Gospel because our store makes money for the Bible League of Canada.  It is not about me or fulfilling my needs but helping to grow the Kingdom of God.  Second, I looked at my helper for today.  Cecil is 82 years old and still helps lift, carry and move furniture some of which is very heavy.  He does not complain but does his part to keep the store going.  May his tribe increase.

I think many of us need to check our attitude as we come to the Lord's supper.  We are too hot, or too cold, or too crowded.  We didn't like the music, the sermon was too long, the person beside us needed a bath and they cannot sing on key.  Some how we make it all about us when it is not about us at all.  Communion is a time to remember, remember what our Lord did, what He is doing and what He will do for us.  Communion is about Him, not about us.  We need to check our attitude.

Unworthy

Growing up every communion service we were reminded that we were not to partake of the bread and the cup in an unworthy manner.  Of course this meant unconfessed sins or even worse, taking communion as a non-believer.  However, I got thinking.  Who is really worthy?  There is nothing in myself that makes me worthy to partake.  Certainly it is not my righteousness.  So then am I unworthy?  Yes but then...

I may be unworthy in myself but there is One who makes me worthy.  I am not worthy because of anything that I have done but rather I am worthy because of what Jesus has done.  I am worthy because of Him and it is He who we are remembering.  Thank you Jesus, I am worthy because of your death and shed blood.

Glory and Shame

In my continuing study about hair I must say that I am probably more confused except for one thing. 
However, first it seems that a woman's hair is tied to her glory and her shame.  In the movie Ryan's daughter her hair was cut off to shame her for her sinful behaviour.  In many cultures a woman's hair is shaved off to show that she has sinned.  Without her hair she feels shamed.  Have you noticed that it is far more tragic that a woman loses her hair during chemotherapy than it is for a man?  It is unnatural for a woman to have no hair while it is okay for a man.
And what about men and long hair?  I remember in high school the vice-principal calling down the "following shaggy dogs" who were given detentions for not getting their hair cut.  But then I read about the Nazarite vow which included that a man should not cut his hair during the time of his vow. 
So what can I conclude about all this?  One thing.  A man is not to look like a woman and a woman is not to look like a man.  Hair plays a big part in our looks.  It seems to me that it is more about style than about length. 

Hair

Why does Paul spend so much time talking about head coverings and hair?  What is the big deal with hair anyway?  And how short is too short for a woman and how long is too long for a man?  Throughout history the lengths of hair have changed so what is the big deal?
The issue is much bigger than hair length or what we wear on our heads.  The issue is that men are suppose to look like men and women are suppose to look like women.  That has led to many different interpretations of the principle because in different cultures and at different times the dress of men and women will change.  However there is always a distinct difference between the two.
Another reason for talking about hair is that it is a sign of authority or being under authority.  I went to university in the sixties which was the decade of rebellion against the authority.  Men choose long hair as a sign of rebellion.