Is clapping a spiritual gift?
Over the past couple weeks, I have received several messages from people who don’t know what their spiritual gifts are, or doubt that they have any at all. One woman even took my free course, Steps to Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts, and still wasn’t sure if she had any. So, let’s take it down a notch or two.
We know that the scriptures mention several spiritual gifts such as the gift of tongues, the gift of revelation, and the gift of healing. Furthermore, you may have downloaded my printable, 72 Spiritual Gifts You Can Use to Influence the World. But what if you still don’t know what yours are?
Back to clapping. I recently came across a devotional from BYU-Idaho given by Greg Palmer. He shared how he grew up with a brother who seemed to receive a trophy for everything; how his colleagues are smarter; and how his college friends make more money. He, too, wondered if he had any spiritual gifts. Then it occurred to him. His spiritual gift was clapping. Everywhere and every time his brother, colleagues, or friends were receiving lauds and applause, he was there – the loudest clapper in the room. He shares his appreciation (number 67 on my printable) for others’ talents. That is his gift.
How might other spiritual gifts be overlooked?
When your friends seem to have foundational faith, but you are full of questions, your gift might be curiosity or hope.
Maybe your spouse is distant or detached and you’ve tried everything to make your marriage thrive, then perhaps you have the gift of devotion.
When everyone seems to vent to you and offload all their problems, maybe you have the gift of understanding.
Think outside the box. And don’t forget that we all have the responsibility to seek gifts. Sometimes those gifts are brought out in very natural ways, but most of the time it requires actual seeking. If you still don’t see any spiritual gifts within yourself – and even if you do – we must also remember that we can and should ask for spiritual gifts. God wants to grant us the righteous desires of our heart.
President Hinckley said, “Believe in yourselves and in your capacity to do something worthwhile. God has given you a mind and a spirit and a body with which to do your work. You have tremendous capacity. You do not have to be a genius to do something worthwhile in the world. The major work of the world is done by ordinary people who have learned to work in an extraordinary way.”
God gave you spiritual gifts for a reason. The world needs them. The world needs you.
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