Thought for the Week: Using Our Gifts – 30th October 2026
I am penning this thought for the week having returned from Ian Cartwright’s book launch at St Giles’ Church in Copmanthorpe. As we listened to Ian being interviewed about his book, and after hearing Ian talk enthusiastically about the book, the characters and the inspiration, I thought, 'Wow - what a gift'. This was followed by a couple of readings of short passages from the book and I was moved some more. There is truly a gift that Ian has received from the Grace of God. There was a bit of me which thought ‘I wish I could do that – I wish I had that creativity in me’.
As I thought this, I was reminded of 1 Corinthians 12:4-6: “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.”
Why do I need to covet Ian’s gift? I have my own gifts; we all have our own gifts. God has chosen each of us to take on different roles, different ministries and he has given us gifts that we may exalt him. Sometimes we do not fully appreciate the gifts we have and we don’t use them. Sometimes those gifts lie dormant until the time is right. I don’t listen to our musicians and think 'I wish I could do that'. No, I appreciate our musicians for the gifts they have been granted. Instead I need to concentrate in discerning the gifts that I have been granted, rather than coveting another’s.
Do you recognise your gifts? Sometimes our gifts are visible and explicit. Individuals who are front and centre. Other times they are hidden and implicit, working behind the scenes. Christian communities need both. Christian communities cannot survive without the combination of the gifts that God provides, and we must cherish each other for those gifts. As Christians we need to use those gifts for the fulfilment of God’s Kingdom, So let us rejoice in our own gifts that God has granted us and let us do so by using them.
Romans 12: 6-8 tells us: “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.” Amen.
Alan Johnston