Hence I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control. Do not be ashamed then of testifying to our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel in the power of God.
2 Timothy 1:6-8
The sacrament of Confirmation is an outward and visible sign of a pre-existing inward and spiritual grace. It also serves as a communal reminder of what God has already bestowed on you: His grace and forgiveness, and the particular gifts that He wants you to use to make Him known in the world. Those gifts – teaching, preaching, prayer, hospitality, service, and many others – also come with resources (power, love, and self-control) to use them well. Our challenge is first to recognize those gifts in ourselves, then to use them as God intends.
As missionaries in Africa, we often hear from American friends: “Oh, you are so brave!”or “What an adventure you are having,” or “I can’t imagine uprooting myself to live in a place like that.” While those comments are intended as compliments, they also can be a bit frustrating, as Paul’s instructions to Timothy explain. Paul says elsewhere in his letters that different gifts are given to different people, all to reflect the glory of God, and to bring people to Jesus. In every case, however, those gifts are bestowed and intended to be used in power, in love, and with self-control – not held tightly by timidity and fear. The seeds of gifts received or acknowledged at a laying on of hands may need to germinate and grow. But grow they must if we are to be true to our calling as Christians.
In the case of the Rangers, we had been prepared through many long distance moves to be open to the idea of yet one more transfer. That was a new call, heard after years of offering the gift of hospitality to the many strangers our different parishes sent our way. It was a gift we never dreamed would lead to us calling Uganda home for this season of our lives. But here we are, feeling blessed beyond measure that we have something to offer university students from another culture.
Every Christian bears a gift important to the Body of Christ, but too often we see those gifts through the world’s lens, which makes us too afraid to use them. Whatever our gift, we are to use it well. Don’t be timid. Consider your gift and pray for the Holy Spirit to show you how to use it to the glory of God.
May God bless you with the spirit to use your gifts well!
In Christ,
Catherine
