What Does It Look/Feel Like When You are Using One or More of Your Gifts?

Often, I ask God. Gifts. You. and Your Unique Design class participants to reflect on and respond to a version of the question:

What does it look or feel like when you are using one or more of your God-given spiritual gifts?

The answers are varied, as are the people and their gifts, but there is always a through-line that speaks to energy, “flow”, fulfillment, and purpose. Here are some recent examples:

When I am using my gifts, I have a sense of purpose.
I find using my gifts invigorating.
I feel a peace and an energizing at the same time.
I feel fulfilled when using my gifts.
Using my gifts feels important.
It is rewarding.
When I’m using my gifts, it feels good, natural, authentic, and easy.
Using my gifts is an enjoyable experience.
It feels like jet fuel—like I’m unstoppable.

If we take the Biblical definition of a spiritual gift (which is found in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12-14, Ephesians 4, 1 Peter 4): a special ability, distributed by God according to His choosing, through the Holy Spirit, to every believer in Jesus, to glorify God, to strengthen His Body/the church, and to benefit the world…and add the literal meaning of the two words Peter and Paul use to describe gifts: CHARISMATA (χαρίσματα) —"concrete expressions of grace" or "grace made tangible" and PNEUMATIKON (πνευματικῶν) — "things that belong to the Spirit" or "Spirit-breathed capacities."…we should not be surprised that when we use our gifts, we experience the Lord at work in and through us. We are doing that which He has called and equipped us to do. We benefit from a deeper sense of purpose and alignment with His will. We are invigorated. Even if the job is a challenge, we still seem to find joy in our orientation toward God and His purposes. We have a front-row seat to watch the Lord multiply our contributions in ways that we find ourselves astounded.

My hope is that these thoughts fuel us to want to go deeper. To develop our gifts further. To lean into what it looks like to use our gifts only in love (1 Corinthians 13 is the sermon on use of gifts in love). To grow increasingly dependent on the power of the Holy Spirit instead of our own strength. To see with the eyes of Jesus. To desire to offer the whole of ourselves in service to our Lord—wherever we may find ourselves.

One more response from a class participant:

· It feels like I am doing what I was meant to do.

Amen.

Shirley Giles Davis, author of God's Affirmations For You: A Book of Encouragement—A 12-Week Devotional Practice, 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.

Shirley Giles DavisJune 25, 2026