Let Us Prepare

     “To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of
     knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of
     healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another
     distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still
     another the interpretation of tongues.” I Corinthians 12:8 – 10

In this time of preparation, for that is what we are choosing to call this time of separation, we are examining the gifts of the Spirit and taking inventory of what gifts we have present in our congregation. Paula Kimbrell and Kathy Hendrix are working together with Reverend Chase to come up with a way to inventory our gifts. Over the next few months, you will begin to receive emails and notices asking for your input. This activity is something that we are praying over and taking our time to develop so that we may best learn what gifts are already present in our community of believers.

In Corinthians, Paul tells the church that, though some are given particular gifts, all the gifts are given to unify the body. As we take inventory of our gifts let us bear in mind always that these gifts are avenues to serve God. It is not our will that we have in mind when we witness to others, but the will of God and even more when we practice the gifts, we have received, it is for God’s glory.

As we rest in this moment of “pause”, let us get ourselves ready. Take this time of separation and limited activity to prepare your hearts for the service ahead of us. Although the pandemic is a terrible moment in our lives, it has afforded us time. Time to step back from the pandemonium of the ‘rush a day’ world we had been living in and to breath. We have been given a great gift in this moment of history to stop and get it right. To prepare and build ourselves for the new thing God has waiting for us. Again, we repeat Isaiah 43:19, “I am doing a new thing….”

Take this moment and brush the dust off your talents. Take this moment to rest and prepare for the great thing the Lord is doing. Now is the moment for us to reach deep inside and find the faith which we have all professed. Now is the moment to be refreshed at the well of His Word and Good News. In the coming weeks and months, we will begin to build upon the promise of our Savior. We will begin to see mountains move, miracles fall like rain and healing, true spiritual healing begin. Take this moment. Breath in deeply the power of the Spirit. Fill your hearts with the passion of Christ.

The gifts are ours and we are blessed by the Spirit. Let us find our strength and build the future that God has ordained for His people. Prepare your hearts through prayer, reading of scripture (particularly I Corinthians 12) and communion with our Lord, Jesus Christ. The Master is at the wheel, we, the clay, are nearly ready. Let us be molded into His will beginning today.

Kathy Hendrix