July 18 | Spiritual Gifts 101: Why Your "Ordinary" Gift Might Be More Supernatural Than You Think
The Day Everything Changed
We've all been there. Sitting in church, watching someone operate in what seems like an obviously supernatural spiritual gift, and wondering why God seemed to skip us in the heavenly handout. But what if I told you that your seemingly "ordinary" abilities might be just as supernatural as the most dramatic healing service?
In today's deep dive into spiritual gifts, we're going to shatter some misconceptions that have kept countless believers sitting on the sidelines, thinking they don't have anything valuable to contribute to the body of Christ.
The Linda Factor: When Ordinary Becomes Extraordinary
Let me tell you about Linda. She's never prophesied over anyone. She's never laid hands on the sick and watched them leap from wheelchairs. She's never spoken in tongues or interpreted them. By most modern church standards, Linda might seem like she missed the spiritual gifts line entirely.
But Linda remembers every single person's name in a congregation of over 300. Not just their names – their stories. She knows that your mom had surgery three months ago and texts to ask about physical therapy progress. She remembers that your teenager just started college and sends encouragement on move-in day. She shows up with exactly what you need before you even realize you need it.
If that's not supernatural, I don't know what is.
Breaking Down 1 Corinthians 12: Every Single One
Paul's teaching on spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:7 contains a game-changing truth that many of us miss: "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good."
Notice that word – each. Not some. Not the super-spiritual. Not the ones who've been Christians the longest. Each one.
This means if you're a believer, you have a spiritual gift. Period. The question isn't whether you have one; it's whether you've recognized it and are using it.
The Complete List: More Than You Think
When Paul lists out the spiritual gifts, the diversity is stunning:
Prophecy
Healing
Miracles
Distinguishing between spirits
Speaking in tongues
Interpretation of tongues
Words of wisdom
Words of knowledge
Faith
Administration
Helps
Service
Mercy
Giving
Leadership
Encouragement
Notice how the "ordinary" gifts are right there with the "spectacular" ones? That's not an accident. That's divine design.
The Body Metaphor: Why Your Liver Matters
Think about your physical body for a moment. Your heart gets all the glory – it's literally the symbol of life and love. But when was the last time you thanked your liver? Never? Well, try living without it for a week and see how that goes.
The body of Christ operates on the same principle. We celebrate the mouth that preaches and the hands that heal, but:
The person with the gift of administration keeping church finances straight? That's the liver – unglamorous but absolutely essential.
The person with the gift of helps who sets up 200 chairs every Sunday morning? That's your skeleton – nobody sees it, but everything collapses without it.
The person with the gift of mercy who sits for hours in hospital waiting rooms? That's your white blood cells – fighting infection and bringing healing in ways nobody notices.
The Recognition Problem: When Supernatural Looks Natural
Here's where many of us get stuck: our spiritual gifts are often so woven into who we are that we don't recognize them as supernatural. We think, "That's just my personality" or "Anyone could do that."
But consider these scenarios:
The Discerning Mother
That mom who always knows which teenager in the youth group is struggling, even when they're putting on a perfect front? That's not just maternal instinct. That's the gift of discernment operating through a mother's heart.
The Simplifying Teacher
The person who can take the doctrine of the Trinity and explain it so a five-year-old goes "Oh, I get it!"? That's not just being smart. That's the supernatural gift of teaching.
The Chaos Coordinator
The individual who walks into organizational chaos and immediately sees the solution? That's not Type-A personality. That's the gift of administration downloading heavenly order into earthly disorder.
Romans 12:6 - The Grace Connection
"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us."
This verse reveals something crucial: spiritual gifts are distributed according to grace, not merit. You didn't earn your gift by being spiritual enough. God looked at you, looked at His body, and said, "I know exactly what they need, and you're it."
This means:
Your gift isn't a reward for good behavior
Your gift isn't less valuable because it seems ordinary
Your gift is perfectly suited for your assignment in the body
How Spiritual Gifts Actually Work Today
Spiritual gifts haven't changed since Paul's day – only their expression has adapted to our context. Here's what they might look like in 2025:
Prophecy in the 21st Century
Sometimes it's a clear "Thus says the Lord" moment
Often it's knowing exactly which Scripture someone needs in their crisis
It might be sensing what God wants to say to your small group
It could be writing words that pierce hearts on social media
Healing Beyond the Dramatic
Yes, sometimes cancer disappears miraculously
But it's also the nurse who prays while administering treatment
It's the counselor bringing emotional healing through Spirit-led therapy
It's the friend whose presence brings peace to anxiety
Administration as Ministry
Creating systems that maximize kingdom impact
Managing resources so no penny is wasted
Organizing events that change lives
Building processes that sustain long-term ministry
The Seasonal Nature of Gifts
Here's something rarely discussed: your spiritual gifts might be seasonal. What God uses powerfully in one season might shift in another. This isn't failure – it's growth.
Consider:
Moses had different gifts needed for different seasons (deliverer, lawgiver, leader)
David's gifts evolved from musician to warrior to king to psalmist
Paul's gifts adapted from church planter to prisoner-epistler
The Spirit distributes gifts as He determines, and sometimes He determines you need new tools for new assignments.
Finding Your Gift: Practical Steps
1. Look for Holy Frustration
What problems make you unreasonably angry? Not normal frustration, but the kind where you think, "How is nobody fixing this?" That's often spiritual vision for a specific problem.
2. Notice What Comes Naturally
What do you do without trying that makes others say, "I could never do that"? That's not natural ability – that's your gift making the impossible look easy.
3. Pay Attention to Patterns
Where do people consistently seek you out?
What needs do you spot that others miss?
What solutions seem obvious to you but revolutionary to others?
4. Ask Your Community
Sometimes others see our gifts more clearly than we do. Ask trusted friends: "What do you see in me that seems God-given?"
The Cost of Unused Gifts
Every Sunday you sit on your gift thinking you're not spiritual enough, someone else limps because a part of the body isn't functioning. Consider:
How many visitors leave feeling unwelcome because those with hospitality gifts think they're "just friendly"?
How many ministries fail because those with administration gifts think they're "just organized"?
How many hurting people suffer alone because those with mercy gifts think they're "just compassionate"?
Your Move
The truth is simple but revolutionary: if you're a believer, you have a spiritual gift. It might not look like what you expected. It might seem so natural to you that you've never considered it supernatural. But make no mistake – the Holy Spirit has equipped you with exactly what the body of Christ needs.
The question isn't "What's my gift?" It's "Will I use what God has already given me?"
Someone needs what you carry this week. They need your "ordinary" supernatural gift. They need you to stop apologizing for not being someone else and start operating in the fullness of who God created you to be.
Your gift matters. Your gift is needed. Your gift is supernatural.
The body of Christ is waiting for you to take your place.
An Invitation to go Deeper….
If today’s message spoke to you, join the FaithLabz 30-Day Prayer Challenge and strengthen your connection with God’s unshakable love. You are never alone—let’s grow together!
