Fuzzy Slippers and Gummy Worms Luke 1:76-79

“And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins because of the tender mercy of our God by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death to guide our feet onto the path of peace.” (Luke 1:76-79) NIV

Random Thoughts:

Zachariah had insider information. Before his child was born he knew the baby’s gender (pretty impressive in a day without ultrasound) and even more importantly, he knew his son’s purpose and the gifts he would possess. Even before he was born, little John was filled with and gifted by God’s Holy Spirit.

And by the Spirit, John would be a prophet. A speaker of truth. An evangelist. His gifts would be used by God to prepare a long-suffering people to see themselves and God differently. To see their need for a messiah and to recognize that messiah when he would come.

And when God sent his Son to briefly shine his light on humanity to direct us to the path of peace with Him, he gave us something else as well. To those who call him “Lord” he left his Spirit. 

God, as it turns out, does not reserve his purpose and his plans for some special, religious and pious “gifted” elite. He, in His wisdom gives each of us a unique purpose and the ability to accomplish that purpose when we come into his family. And while our gifts may be quite different from another’s (after all, we can’t all be like John, wearing animal skins, eating locusts and living in the wilderness), our gifts from God are no less important or necessary. 

The hard part is knowing which gift or gifts God’s Spirit has given to us and how He wants them to be used. For John it was pretty well understood. For most of us, however, we must listen to God’s leading more carefully. After all, God’s ways are seldom our ways and His thoughts often confound us. Good thing we have Luke to help us on our journey.

Question:

What things energize you in caring for others? Hands-on helping to provide relief and joy? (Gifts of service) Personal connections that encourage and give hope to others? (Gifts of encouragement) Seeing the “Ah-ha!” of understanding in the eyes of those hearing your words? (Gifts of teaching/prophecy) Planning the nuts and bolts that bring programs and buildings to life? (Gifts of administration)  What gifts has God given you to touch other’s lives in a way that makes your heart sing too? Are you using those gifts? If not, how can you?

Journal Response:

Last Sunday Pastor Jeff talked about this very thing and probably the reason it is jumping out at me in neon from this passage of scripture. So what are my gifts? What energizes me and emboldens me to do on behalf of others? Well, unfortunately, “cooking vast quantities of food” doesn’t seem to be in the spiritual gift line-up unless you call that “hospitality”. Then there’s my penchant for offering unsolicited advise. Although this particular activity affords me a great deal of enjoyment (especially when directed at my children) it is not, I must admit, always in the best interest of them or others. Note to self: Don’t ask? Don’t tell. 

But I have a clue. While wearing animal skins is limited to the leopard print on my fuzzy slippers and eating gummy worms is the closest I get to ingesting insects, I am, I think, in the prophet category (the teaching, truth-finding group) with one glaring exception. I’m not big on stand-up teaching. I’ve done it--I even hear encouraging things when I have--but oh, how it scares me. Public speaking? Really unnerving. I prefer writing. It’s safer--kinda like the faux leopard footwear. 

So what am I doing about it? Writing this I suppose. Working out my thoughts and passions on virtual paper in the hopes that God can use them to spark a thought in the mind and heart of another. Hoping someone will see the value in a fellow human’s attempt to wrestle with Luke’s words and to see how they apply to life in 2010. 

But I have a hunch there is more. I am prodded to wonder if communication with others is meant to go beyond cyberspace. Do I dare to think God would want me to write a book? It would be a dream come true but really? A book? Well, one thing at a time. And right now? It’s time to cook vast quantities of food in my fuzzy slippers.