I Timothy 4:12-16
Let no one look down on your youthfulness… (v. 12a, NASB). I don’t think anyone reading this verse needs to apply it directly to him/herself! HOWEVER, we would do well to always give heed to the younger members of our congregation. I believe that we do that at St. Andrew’s – maybe because we are, in general, a much older crowd. Still, we are constantly looking to have our younger members attain to Vestry membership and younger folks have been asked to serve on our search committee for a new rector. So I think we have a good record in that regard.
Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you… (v. 14a, NASB). I wonder how many of us have truly considered the spiritual gifts with which we have been endowed. One online resource (http://www.kodachrome.org/spiritgift/refer.htm) lists 28 spiritual gifts (more than I would have named)! It also lists a few Bible chapters as the main places where we learn about spiritual gifts: 1 Corinthians 12-14; Romans 12; Ephesians 4. They also list a number of caveats and overlaps regarding the 28 spiritual gifts that they have listed. But back to the verse quoted… We need to take Paul’s directive seriously. He follows verse 14a with a stronger statement, Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. (v. 15) If you are uncertain about any spiritual gifts that you may possess, you may want to take the spiritual gifts test that the online link offers: http://www.kodachrome.org/spiritgift/. I’ll be doing that myself later today.
BTW, just announced – our daughter, Nancy (in Maryland, where we are) just delivered a 6 lb, 7.3 oz. baby girl. (No name yet…)
Slava Bohu!
Yea! Praise God!
I took it! Somewhat surprised (not too much) by the result. It was a helpful exercise. 🙂