Speaking the Gifts

Church of the Resurrection Insights Blog

11.20.24 Hebrews 10:24-25 

Amy Oden

Are you your own worst critic? Many of us live daily in a toxic cacophony of inner voices, commenting, judging, diminishing our work and our lives.  This becomes debilitating over time, leading us further and further away from God’s dream for us.

This is why we need the church, to help us see who we really are, dwelling places for Christ. In the church, we see ourselves more clearly, we name our gifts and are called into the world to serve. This usually happens through small groups (e.g., Bible study, grief group, mission group) where we get to know each other deeply, where we learn the circumstances, joys and struggles of each other’s lives. Here we can be real and unguarded. Here we can hear the truth about ourselves, no matter how beautiful!* As others see Christ in us, we can begin to see Christ in ourselves, shining and blessing others. This is radical stuff!

And it’s unlikely to happen anywhere else. In the church, we seek “eyes to see” the real gifts in each other and call them out. As siblings in Christ, we are always looking for how God is at work through one another, how the “way that leads to Life” is emerging within us. With church, we celebrate what God is doing. As siblings in Christ we “spark love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24) in one another.

Today, notice a particular gift in someone and tell them. Their gift might be introducing people to each other or it might be playfulness that keeps us from taking ourselves too seriously or it might be interceding in prayer. Whatever the gift, name it and claim Christ shining in their gift.

Today, ask someone to identify a gift in you and tell you. Be brave to name it and claim Christ shining. We need the church, the body of Christ, to see ourselves for who we truly are: dwelling places of Christ.

*attributed to Macrina Wiederkehr, A Grateful Heart, ed M. J. Ryan