Inflatable Rides

Although this year is different, we usually have a Fun Fair in the Spring here at the church where we bring in all sorts of inflatable rides for young (and not so young) kids to have fun with. There is nothing my kids enjoy more than watching their not-so-limber dad slide or tumble or crawl through one of these contraptions.

One of my favorite things to do is to watch the crew inflate the rides. Before they inflate the rides, you really have no idea what type of ride it could be. It may be an obstacle course, or a huge boxing ring or even an trampoline-like cage. It is fun to see those rides take shape and to know what type of fun awaits.

This has caused me to think about our life in the spiritual realm also. Scripture is very clear that as a follower of Jesus, I have been given a spiritual gift. This is a gift that benefits the entire church body as I allow the Spirit to work in and through my life. It is not purely an ability (something I can do regardless of the Spirit's work in my life) or a talent -- it is a gift of the Spirit of God. A gift that is only evident as the Spirit works through me.

The greek word for spirit, pneuma, can also be translated "breath" or if you'd like, wind ... air. And as the "pneuma" of God fills us as believers, we, like an inflatable ride, take a unique shape to fill a unique purpose and design.

So what unique shape are you? What spiritual gift describes you? It is hard to tell unless your full of air. No, not that kind of air, but pneuma, the Spirit of God.

Do you wonder what your spiritual gift is? Take a look at your life and see what naturally flows out of you when your controlled (filled) by God's spirit. Is it wisdom? Is it service? Is it encouragement? Is it truth telling? That will be a good help for you to begin to answer the "spiritual gift" question.

Using the inflatable rides analogy, many of us are designed to be "spiritual obstacle courses" but are disappointed when we are inflated and end up being a "spiritual boxing ring" Don't be disappointed, that is basically telling God he didn't know what he was doing when he gifted you. Instead, relish in your uniqueness and ask God to use you to be the best "spiritual boxing ring" you can be.