"For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." Romans 8:14
There are those who like a specific style of music. Some prefer pop music, some like light rock. They tend to gravitate to one style or another. Now, what if someone were to tell you that they had an eclectic taste in music? What would that mean to you? Personally, it would convey to me that they like all types of music, from country to rap, from heavy metal to classical. Now think of the different ways that God uses you to advance His kingdom. Do you tend to gravitate to a specific gift or ministry, or do you have a more eclectic approach to serving the Lord? You may find yourself thinking, "If only I could have the gift of (insert spiritual gift here) or be a part of (insert church ministry here), and really make an impact on those around me. I could do great things for the Lord."
Too often we unknowingly pigeon hole ourselves in what we're willing to do for the Lord, and therefore limit the Holy Spirit's work in our life. We're more concerned with operating in our comfort zone... in one or two areas of church service, sort of like being a physician who specializes in a particular field. You're good at it, but you refrain from going beyond the boundaries you've set for yourself, because everything outside of that is an "unknown risk." Being able to use our talents and spiritual gifts in certain areas of the church is certainly a righteous desire, and if that's where you choose to serve, praise God for you. We often forget that God is so much more than our human understanding, with all of it's limitations. Ask yourself... "What if I could have a relationship with the Lord where He could put me anywhere and in any situation... would I step out in faith for that kind of relationship?"
There are those born again believers who aren't content to limit themselves, and, by extension, limit God in their life. I've lived for more than 60 years, and I'm hoping I can remain in good health until the Rapture, because one of the things I've learned is that I shouldn't limit God... that I should expect more than what I could possibly imagine. I confess that I've desired specific spiritual gifts in the past, but what I've learned is that the closer your relationship becomes with God... the more you're submitted to Him... the more confidence you have in Him (and not your own abilities), then the more He can use you in ways you've never even imagined. That's why the righteous desire of my heart isn't for one particular gift or ministry... it's to be used by God in however He chooses to use me, in good times and bad, in comfort and discomfort, because I know His desire is to increase my prosperity, not bring me to ruin.
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
I have an eclectic type of Christianity, meaning that I'm open to the Lord using me wherever and however He chooses. Yes, sometimes I naively ask, "Me, Lord? You want me to do that? Go there? Do what?" But most of the time I find myself in the midst of doing something that I never expected, realizing later that the Holy Spirit drew me into a situation that I didn't even recognize was of Him at the moment. At other times, I've felt the power of the Holy Spirit working, and I just kept going with it, because I knew He was in the midst of the situation. Those are unexpectedly rewarding experiences.
"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." Psalm 20:7
We can often forget that the Holy Spirit isn't looking for our abilities, but for our availability. God has used me in so many different situations where I was definitely not qualified or experienced to act on my own, and if I had limited God to working in just those things in which I was comfortable... if I had limited myself to a specialty, I never would have had the opportunity to experience so much, and that would have limited the strengthening of my faith and the growth in our relationship.
If you're like me, you don't desire a title. Your ego doesn't desire a recognized place in a church structure. You don't need the special attention, the official church t-shirt and a badge, being seen as part of the inner circle at church, etc. No, you're humble, and your only desire is to serve the Lord in whatever capacity He deems fit for the moment. I once served as a head usher in a church, so I've had the "prestige" and authority of a position, a title and a badge, and it could all have gone to my head, but the Lord had taught me to always remain humble. I've worked in businesses (white collar and blue collar) where I needed to wear an ID, but when I walked out the door of the building, humility caused me to put that badge straight into my pocket, because I knew that my importance didn't come from a badge, but from my relationship with the Lord. In my lifetime, I've received official titles and I've received recognition by way of certificates, awards, and a plaque, but they're not displayed on my walls and I don't boast about them. They're all at the city dump...lol. I've been on local cable shows and the local news. None of that means anything to me. Why? Because my ego doesn't need them, and I haven't provided detailed information about that aspect of my life because humility won't allow me to discuss them in detail. As far as I'm concerned, displaying awards and discussing details about my television appearances would do nothing but tempt me to grow prideful again.
My strengths are administration, organization, planning, and my uncompromising faith. My weakness is that I sometimes throw caution to the wind and just act upon impulse, which, I admit, can be a strength at times. It helps me when God says go...lol. My skills help me to create these blog articles, create tracts, and produce YouTube videos. Do I limit myself to these gifts? These talents? No. If I did, I'd be living a very limited Christian life and I'd be purposely limiting those things for which I allow God to use me.
Here are a few example of what I'm talking about:
Example 1: Friends of mine had a marital spat, and his wife was worried because he left the house and was gone for hours (this was before cell phones were a thing). I could have chosen to sit and console her, but I offered to go out and help find him. She told me that he sometimes hung out at a particular local bar. Everyone knew the reputation of how seedy and full of corruption that bar was. I had never been in that type of environment, and I was immediately resistant to going there, but instead of shifting the responsibility to someone else, I trusted in the Lord and entered unfamiliar territory. The bar was dark, and the whole place glowed an eerie red from the neon lights. I was definitely out of my element. After I took the first few steps into the bar, I suddenly felt an invisible spiritual bubble of protection envelope me as I started walking through the bar. No one really looked up at me as I walked around the entire bar. It's as though they didn't see me. I was on a mission, and it wasn't until I left the bar that I was able to reflect on what just happened. It's something I had never felt before, and something I haven't felt since. It was one of those one-time experiences that the Holy Spirit allowed me to taste. If I had not walked into that seedy bar, I never would have experienced the powerful moving of the Holy Spirit. I stepped out in faith, and the Lord gave me an awesome, unexpected experience which I still carry with me to this day.
"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" Psalm 56: 3-4
Example 2: I was ministering to a friend, and I noticed that the words of knowledge and wisdom coming from my lips couldn't possibly be my own. I kept ministering to him until I felt the Holy Spirit pull back, causing me to start stumbling over my words. That's when I gently ended the conversation, telling my friend that the Holy Spirit was done conveying to him what He wanted him to know. Once again, it was an experience I've only had a couple of other times, and it gave me more of a working understanding of how the Holy Spirit can work through me to convey a message to someone with whom He needs to speak. It wasn't a, "Thus saith the Lord" type of thing. The Holy Spirit spoke with Him, through me, in a normal one on one conversation that I would have with anyone (except they were His words, not mine). If I had decided to shy away from talking face to face with my friend, instead of attempting to minister to him, I never would have been the vessel though which the Holy Spirit spoke with him.
"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills." 1 Cor. 12:4-11 (underline mine)
Example 3: I was house sitting for a former pastor who had moved out of the city and was selling the house. I allowed a friend to stay overnight while I was at work, and I received a panicked call from him. He was experiencing unbelievable activity that I thought was either demonic or associated with substance abuse. The following morning, I asked him to leave the house, not knowing if it was a substance abuse problem or demonic activity. That evening, I went room by room casting out any demons that may be present in the house, sealing every window and doorway room by room. The next day, upon arriving at the side gate of the house, I felt a demon latch on to me. The demons had been cast out, but at least one of them stayed in the general area or returned. His front claws were in my shoulders, and his back claws were clutching my back. I was immediately filled with fear, so I knew it was a spirit of fear. I walked down the pathway into the back yard, but before I went up the stairs and into the house, I declared the doorframe covered in the blood of Jesus and declared that no demon could pass through it. I stepped forward, and because the demon couldn't go past the threshold, it released me. I never had an issue with demons again while house sitting. This was a powerful example of Jesus' authority over the demonic realm. Why did it return in the first place? Perhaps because it thought I'd freak out and it could gain access to the house again, and thus bring in many more demons than had been cast out to begin with. This is why it's important to read your bible and grow in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of God and His word. I knew what to do because God trained me, through scripture and other experiences, beforehand.
"When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, “I will return to the house I left”' 25When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. 26Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first (Luke 11:24-26).Luke 11:24-26
I've had other experiences with demons, which has taught me that they're not to be feared, because rebuking them in the name of Jesus is all you need to do. We speak the words, and Jesus does everything else. In Jesus' name, they have to flee. There's no discussion, just a quick rebuke in Jesus' name is all you need. If you're having a discussion with them, then you're doing it wrong. If I hadn't had those experiences with demons, I couldn't stand firm when we're face to face. They know that have no authority over me. I am a child of the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. The Lamb of God who shed His precious blood to redeem me as His own. I've been bought and paid for. I belong to Jesus. No demon can steal me out of His hand. Praise God!!!
I've had other personal experiences and spiritual dreams that God has used to make me who I am. They haven't all been easy. In fact, I've been a broken man more than once, but the growth that came from it has been invaluable.
So, maybe, instead of asking for specific spiritual gifts with your own goals in mind, you should humbly open yourself up to following the leading of the Holy Spirit, building that relationship, building that faith and trust, because I can guarantee you, you'll be given the opportunity to be the vessel through which the Holy Spirit will exhibit many of His gifts. I'm not saying you shouldn't pray for the righteous desire of your heart if you feel called into a particular ministry, I'm just saying that you shouldn't limit yourself to that one thing. If you limit yourself, you may find yourself missing out on a lot of great things that the Lord wants to accomplish in your life to His glory.
So step out in faith in areas to which you wouldn't normally gravitate. Lead a home bible study; hand out tracts on the street; start a Christian blog or vlog; pray face to face with others; evangelize your friends and family; utilize Christian outerwear (t-shirts, hats, tote bags, etc...) to "brand" Jesus; give to, or participate in, Christian organizations that not only help those in need, but share the word of God with them at the same time. Be open to ministering to those in need, scoot over in church and sit near someone who's sitting by themselves and introduce yourself. You never know what even the smallest gesture could lead to. Allow yourself to be used by God in different ways, and watch what He does.
Having a goal of living an eclectic type of Christianity means opening yourself up to God's will to use you whenever, however, and wherever He needs someone to fill the gap. You'll find out that God often uses you right where you are. He has a way of creating opportunities in your own backyard (so to speak). You may be the answer God sends in response to a stranger's desperate plea, so I encourage you to answer, "Here I am, Lord, send me," the next time God asks, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" When you pray, don't forget to ask God to use you to fill in the gap at church, in your neighborhood, at work, or elsewhere... to use you as only He can, regardless of your own physical and intellectual talents. He knows your anxiety and fear about stepping out in faith in areas in which you're not comfortable, but the fact that, despite of all that, you still willingly offered to step into what we consider to be the unknown, is a sign of faith that God will honor, and God doesn't disappoint. He knows you'll have opposition from the enemy, who is a great influence in the lives of the unsaved, but He has already created provision for you... God has your back. He doesn't set you up for failure. We also have a set of spiritual armor to help with that, and God has our back.
We're here fighting a war to rescue as many souls as possible and to plant as many seeds as possible before Jesus returns. That's why He's given us a spiritual armor.
"Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm." Eph. 6:13
You have no idea what God can do through you. It's an exciting adventure built on faith, love, and trust in the Lord God Almighty. The benefits far outweigh any negative experiences you may face. An eclectic type of Christianity gives you many more opportunities for a teaching moment... one that stretches your faith and deepens your intimate relationship with Him and brings Him glory.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil. 4:13
Don't just quote this scripture... live it out in faith!!!
REPENT, AND BE FORGIVEN!
BELIEVE, AND BE SAVED!
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