Like a Pink Nightmare
One of my favorite movies to watch at Christmas time is the classic, A Christmas Story. I watch it every single year, and I never get tired of laughing at the old man, who I realize I'm becoming more like, and of course, Ralphie and his obsession with the Red Ryder BB gun. While the focus is on the BB gun, there was one other major gift that Ralphie received, and this one he hated: the pink bunny suit. It’s a hilarious scene where his mom says he looks adorable, typical Mom, and his Dad says the iconic line that he looks like a pink nightmare.
At this point, you may be thinking of some of your own Christmas gifts you’ve received, but I wonder how many of us might admit that we can look at gifts from God in the same way. For example, we might be gifted in an area we think is important, so we say how much WE are doing for God. Then there are some gifts where we might think, “If I just had x instead of y, then I could do some really good things for God.” Now, if you know your Bible, then you know the Corinthian church had these same issues, so I figured we could take a look at what God said to them so we can learn how to appreciate what God has given each of us and the purpose of these gifts.
In 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, we see: 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. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
Okay, so the first thing I want to point out is that all of our gifts are given to us as believers from the Holy Spirit, and they are personalized to you. That means that the God of the universe, who created YOU and knows YOU perfectly, CHOSE YOU to do for His glory what only YOU can do the way you do it. We have to remember that He gives these gifts as He wills, or according to His plan for each individual person, so none of them are random or accidental. The other thing that we need to know is that the Holy Spirit is the one working in us to actually accomplish the results from the gifts that He has given; all we are to do is surrender to what God wants to do through us. The gifting is there for God to use US in a way that only HE can for HIS GLORY not for our pride.
See, you and I don’t have to know everything or even understand everything; we just have to be willing to say, “Not my will but Yours, Lord,” and trust the process. Then, in those moments when it may not look how we want, we just need to focus our heart and mind on Jesus and surrender to Him, and we will be right where HE wants us to be. It’s not as complicated as we sometimes make it out to be; again, we just have to be willing to use our gifting in whatever opportunity He gives us and trust Him with all the consequences. So, next time when the gift or maybe even the opportunity to use the gift looks like a pink nightmare, remember that the One who created the universe knows exactly who you are and what He is wanting to do. Then just Trust Him and watch Him work out all the details as only He can for His glory and our good.
If you are someone who has never received the gift of Gods grace and forgiveness, I implore you to consider that gift right now. Jesus paid for that with His life, and He offers it to you right now in this moment. Remember, none of us are promised another moment, and you may not have one, so don’t wait.
