“Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might understand the gifts bestowed on us by God.” – 1 Corinthians Chapter 2
I had a teacher in high school who used to ask her class every day. “Are you filled with the holy spirit today?” Unable to understand any relationship between the spirit and algebra, I invariably answered “no.”
How can I come to understand the gifts of God? What is Paul talking about? Is he referring to the gifts of the earth; food, clothing, shelter, lower utility costs? Maybe he is talking about the gift of knowledge, or of love, or family? Or are the gifts of God specific to each of us in their own manner. If so, how can we possibly begin to understand them?
I find it very hard sometimes, when faced with trial or pain, or even with the day to day stress of existence (those darn utility bills!) to recognize just what the gift of God means to me. It’s not something that I can figure out one hour a week in church, or even typing a daily meditation on your laptop drinking coffee and listening to Spongebob Squarepants in the other room.
Understanding what God’s gift means to me means that I must be open and allow his spirit to take hold of me. I don’t believe that its something that happens automatically, It may take a lifetime to achieve. But maybe gaining that understanding, will be the ultimate gift itself.
Walter
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