What Are Gifts?
By its dictionary definition, a gift is something given willingly to someone without payment. I like to further that definition by saying that a gift is something given to a person, that he or she did not ask for. Gifts are also defined as “natural talents or abilities” (which is the basis from which I write this article).
So, it is generally accepted by most, that everyone (including you) has one or more of these “natural talents or abilities”; the question is, have you identified yours? If so, how are you using it (or them)? Before answering that, let us classify those gifts…
Have you ever heard of someone being classified as “gifted”? Have you ever been called “gifted” in one or more areas? If you have, that’s great, but if no one’s ever called you gifted, it doesn’t mean you don’t possess some natural ability that you can excel in. More likely, it simply means no one has seen those talents, because you haven’t put them into use in a way that allows them to be noticed. Now, such gifts generally fall into two categories: physical and spiritual.
Physical Gifts
These gifts are typically easy to notice and measure, because they are seen. It’s not hard to see that Usain Bolt is a gifted sprinter. If you’ve ever seen him in a race and observed how seemingly effortlessly he cruised past his competitors, you would know that there is no way that someone who had zero natural speed could hire a coach to make him that fast!
Many of us have also heard the stories of “normal” people (non bodybuilders or strength coaches) who possess “superhuman” strength. And then there are those great singers who throughout history have possessed these wonderful, natural vocal talents that made them sought-after the world over. All these things are physical gifts that can be measured in one or more ways (speed can be clocked, and both strength and vocal range are measurable). In summary, physical gifts are things that are more-or-less tangible, and can be witnessed with the eyes or ears.
Spiritual Gifts
If physical gifts are measurable and can be witnessed with the eyes or ears, spiritual gifts are just the opposite, in that they are difficult to measure and cannot be seen or heard (per se), but can be perceived. And while spiritual gifts are intangible (for example, you cannot physically see or touch wisdom), the fruits of such can be seen immediately or over time. Some examples of spiritual gifts are the aforementioned wisdom, teaching, understanding, motivating and healing. Terms like the following come to mind:
- “He is wise beyond his years.”
- “She is such a gifted teacher; how does she get those students to respond to her like that?”
- “Wow! He can learn anything! Show it to him once and he’s got it!”
- “What a great motivator!”
- “She has a gift! I don’t know what it is, but I was feeling drained… down and out…ill, and just being around her… I can’t explain how, but her energy made me feel 100% better!”
All the above are examples of words you hear spoken of people who are spiritually gifted. You may also hear of people being called “great communicators,” which in my opinion, are typically a combination of several spiritual gifts (oftentimes, great communicators combine wisdom with great teaching and motivating abilities). Anyway, keep in mind that unlike their physical counterparts, spiritual gifts cannot be measured, they can only be experienced.
So the last question is, are you gifted? (Nod your head “yes,” but shhhh… don’t tell what they are—that is for you to know and everyone else to see!). If you think you are not, I challenge that you either have not yet identified your gifts, or know what they are, but think they are too simple or too small to be put on display. People who are gifted seldom call themselves such, yet they have a strong knowledge of what their gifts are because they’ve seen them and are often amazed themselves at the “work their own hands produce.”
In closing, I challenge that if you are not operating in your gifts, you may not be living your best life, and most likely are not doing what you were created to do. Remember that unlike grants, gifts are given without request, but I also challenge that you do owe a debt of gratitude to the giver of the gift by at least, trying to use it at some capacity. And remember, that gift was given to you to benefit both yourself and others (for whom you put it on display). And as is the case in most of my writings that reference scripture, I’ll throw in the disclaimer that I am not a member of the clergy, have no desire to be such, nor do I consider myself “pious” in any way. Still though, I was raised spending a considerable portion of each week in church or bible study, so I do know “a lil sump’n-sump’n ‘bout them scriptures…” Anyway, on that note, I can’t end this without a Biblical reference…
If you know the story of Sampson, you know that the Almighty gifted him with great strength, but in combining multiple purposes into a single event (as God often does), He also created Sampson to be a gift to his nation—a champion that would give the Israelites a military edge over their enemies. Well, ask yourself… what if Sampson had said to himself…
“Man… I know that I’m big and strong, but I get tired of all these people coming up to me wanting to ask me about my size and great strength… I wish they’d just leave me alone and get outta my face with their stankin’ breath… always talking to me and wanting to touch my muscles… Shoooot… [looking up to the heavens]… God, I know you made me big and strong… but I wanna go plant an herb garden and catch fish. Catch y’all on the next go-round! Deuces!”
Would Sampson have been remembered as an extraordinary strong man, or would he have been an unremembered, ordinary gardener who went fishing for recreation?
If you haven’t done so yet, I challenge you to discover your gifts and put them into operation. They were given to you to be used for a purpose!
All the Best!
–MT
Matt D. Talford is a writer, narrator, and the author of “From Fear to Faith: A Survivor’s Story” – a memoir about overcoming a rare form of what he calls “the C-word.” The book is currently available in paperback on this website—click the “Products” link in the menu—and at Amazon.com. It is also available in eBook format on Amazon Kindle and Apple iBooks, and in audiobook (narrated by Talford himself) at audible.com, and at many other sites where audiobooks are sold.
Good afternoon, I enjoyed reading your well written article. Are we operating in our gifts! It makes you think, and poses that question to all, Am I? Loved it!
Thank you Mommy!
I understand what you’re trying to say. But I also feel strongly that framing someone as ‘gifted’ often is not doing them any favors. For example, let’s say someone’s been told they’re a gifted athlete. Too often, the gifted person gets complacent. They don’t give 100% (or even 90%, or 50%) because they feel they can get by on less effort because they’re ‘gifted’.
Working hard and not giving up on ourselves is the gift we should give ourselves. I’ll take grit over gifted all day long.
That is a very good point Lissa and one that I failed to emphasize in my article (originally, though I’ll go back and add that). What I wanted to focus on more is identifying your own gifts. There are many who are gifted in an area, and others can see it (and tell them where/how their gifted), but they fail to see them themselves; and until they recognize their own gifts, their full potential may never be realized. But even still, to your point (one which I agree with), just because you have a gift does not mean it is not to be cultivated so that it grows. A gift abandoned serves no one. Thanks for the comment!
Great read lil brother. You are a great gift from God!
Thanks Brother J!
You are welcome young man. I’m glad I checked you out today. God bless, and be with you in everything you do.
BB