What about gifts I want to have but didn’t score high on?--Spiritual Gifts FAQs
Question 4:
What about gifts I want to have but didn’t score high on?
Reply 4:
First, read the definitions of your highest-scoring gifts. Which parts really resonate with you and your experience? Ask those who know you well to weigh in—provide them with the mini-definitions in your Class Guide or online. How does their input mesh with your highest-scoring results?
Read the definitions of the gifts you want but didn’t score high on. Is there something in those gift descriptions that helps your discernment process. Also ask yourself—is there some confusion between roles and titles and gifts? Are you serving as a “leader” but lack the Leadership gift? Perhaps your “leadership” service is more about Shepherding and Administration. Could it be that the Lord has you in a place of “influence” as a leader with gifts of Exhortation and Prophecy instead of Leadership on purpose? Again, ask others if they have seen you use/exhibit these gifts.
The assessment is a useful but imperfect tool. Go back to the back of your Class Guide and work the assessment in reverse for the gifts about which you are curious. How does this help your understanding?
Our own assessment of ourselves can be inaccurate. We either score ourselves too high or too low. Again, the input of others can be very useful here.
In the end, time in prayer and listening to the Lord can help immeasurably. Remember that Scripture tells us that God distributes the gifts just as He desires. Tell Him of your disappointment over the gifts that seem to be missing on your list. Also ask Him how He might want to use the gifts He has given you in this season for His glory and the strengthening of others and your community.
One more thought—is it possible that you have gifts that have been unnoticed or neglected in your context…and it’s time for you and others in leadership to heed the 1 Corinthians 12 warnings to elevate the value of those gifts to the same place as the more visible ones?
Important resources:
Take this free spiritual gifts assessment or this free Spanish language spiritual gifts assessment.
Purchase the six-week workbook in English or Spanish:
DIOS. DONES. TÚ.: Tu llamado y diseño único (Spanish Edition)
Downloadable Resources--See Sample List of Interest Areas; Your Spiritual Gifts—A Study Guide; Knowing Your Unique Calling and Purpose Study Guide; Whole-Life Ministry: A Form of Worship, Grace-Giving, and Living into Your Calling.
Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, Your Unique Design Class Guide, Your Unique Design Facilitator Guide, DIOS. DONES. TÚ.: Tu llamado y diseño único (Spanish Edition), and Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with hundreds of faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and executive leaders in a diversity of fields for four decades. She currently serves as Catalyst for Equipping at her church.
Photo © Shirley Giles Davis.
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