Embracing Our Differences
* * *
Hi friends;
Just below is an article I wrote a while back that was published to help
believers understand and develop their God-given "spiritual gifts"
in Romans 12.
It is a very short introduction just to wet ones' appetite, and to help
us understand our differences in personality so that we can learn to be "gracious"
to one another in the Body of Christ.
Because I am a great believer (and partaker) in the "house church"
I think it is very important to operate at our fullest potential when we come
together.
Why ?
There are MANY reasons, however, these are my top two:
FIRST:
"HOUSE CHURCHES" in particular do not operate as a "spectator
sport", because everyone is involved in sharing by bringing somethhing
to the table. ( The success of every "get-together" depends on participation
in one way or another specially if the group in small. )
SECOND:
When we come together, we can minister much more effectively knowing "the
skin we're in" FITS !
Be blessed as you continue to serve God and bring Him Glory thru your life
!
Blessings.....Michelle
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EMBRACING OUR DIFFERENCES
Michelle Papineau-Stoen
If I do not want what you want please try not to tell me that my want is wrong.
Or if I believe other than you at least pause before you correct my view.
If my emotion is less than yours or more, given the same circumstance try not to ask me to feel more strongly or weekly.
If I fail to act in the manner of your design for action, let me be.
I do not, for the moment at least ask you to understand me, that will come only when you are willing to give up changing me into a copy of you.
I may be your spouse, your parent, your offspring, your friend, or your colleague, and in understanding me you might come to prize my differences from you, and far from seeking to change me, preserve and even nurture those differences.
I can almost guarantee that the above statements ring true in the "heart of hearts" of every human being. I believe that at one time or other we have all had that inner urge to SCREAM, "....is there anyone out there who understands me" !!!
This article featuring the "seven motivational gifts" taken from Romans 12 is dedicated to helping us understand ourselves and one another better in order to promote awareness, unity in the body of Christ, as well as encourage a healthier sense of "self worth". Knowing how God sees us and understanding the gifts He has "graciously" given us promotes all the above.
Bare bone highlights of the seven motivation gifts:
Perceiver- Eyes of the body-Declares the will of God.
Server-Hands of the body- Renders practical service.
Teacher-Mind of the body-Clarifies the truth of God's word.
Exhorter-Encourages personal progress.
Giver-Arms of the body-Shares material assistance and support.
Administrator-Shoulders of the body-Gives leadership aid.
Mercy-Heart of the body-Gives personal and emotional support.
How do our individual giftings actually manifest in an everyday practical
way ?
Let’s take a hypothetical situation of how our differences in personality
and giftings can come into play. For instance......let’s say you’re
in need of some counseling,( use your imagination ). Each motivational gift
will help you, coming from an entirely different angle.
Let's take 3 examples:
PERCEIVER ( prophet ) are the "eyes" of the body. They have the ability to cut to the chase. They think in "black & white".....it’s either right or wrong. They are extremely intuitive and get to the heart of the problem quickly, sometimes even exposing "potential" sin in one’s life. "Repent" is a resounding foundation in their belief system. They’ll encourage you to "get right with God" so you can hear His voice clearly, "Clean the slate, and start fresh!" Because they tend to be to the point they may seem to lack tenderness or "gushy" emotion. However, if you want to get on with your life and you are ready to "come clean"....then you’ve got the right person to help you stay accountable.
A "MERCY" person, ( the "heart" of the body ) may be the one you run to after seeing the Prophet ( perceiver), especially if you are not quite ready to get down to business and really only want to vent! The mercy person’s thinking pattern is "emotional." Carers have a way of going for the heart as well, but in an entirely different dimension than the Prophet. They are wonderful listeners and have a supernatural ability to be empathetic.They usually wear their emotions on their sleeve....they will laugh with you and cry with you as well. They are very concerned about one’s mental and emotional needs. You will leave feeling less burdened because they have carefully listened to you. You will feel understood, loved and accepted. They are highly motivated toward unity and right relationships.
The "EXHORTER" or encourager is the "mouth" of the body. Their thinking pattern is that of a "Visionary." As opposed to the perceiver who sees situations in black and white, the exhorter sees the "grey" area in a situation. They love to suggest affirmative "steps of action" for personal growth and progress! IF you are ready to actually change yourself or your situation they will encourage you to no end, as long as you show you are sincerely trying. They will keep you "applying" spiritual truths, everything for them has got to have a "practical" application. The exhorter is usually an up and positive individual who has a gift for seeing peoples’ potential, and encourages people to follow their dreams applying "steps of action" to get there!
In doing this little comparison with only three of the seven "graces"
or "motivational gifts"( taken from Romans 12,) you can see just
how important it is to really get to know ourselves and others. This way we
can operate more effectively in the "Body of Christ" and in our
every day lives. We can always stand to have more appreciation for those we
are "doing life with".... whether it is with believers or non-believers.
Remember....we have all seven gifts in operation in us at some point or other,
however, we will be strongest in one or two, and so on.
Marketplace practical stuff:
Knowing that I work "hands on" with people as a hairstylist and
make-over specialist, a friend once asked me,....
"HOW DO YOU KEEP YOUR CHRISTIAN IDENTITY IN THE WORK PLACE, AND DO YOU
TAKE OPPORTUNITIES TO EXERCISE YOUR "SPIRITUAL GIFTINGS"?
Well....first of all I am who I am, "A BELIEVER"! The light
of Christ and His Glory rests upon me, so even without saying anything they
know there is something different about me. My two "primary" giftings
are"exhorter/perciever". Exhorters are evangelists at heart, and
percievers are intuitive and read people easily which helps me to approach
each person uniquely as the Holy Spirit leads me.
The "exhorter" takes every opportunity to share the Gospel, and
I usually do this thru my testimony ( my story of how I came to the Lord ).
Actually....I find that is most effective and practical way to share regardless
of gifting because it is not preachy as long as you keep it in the "first
person. It is simply telling your experience of how God changed your life.
It is one of the MOST powerful tools we have, as no one can refute your story.
They may argue about scripture or doctrine, but they cannot refute what happened
to YOU !! I find most people are really intrigued and want to hear more !
Secondly......Encouraging people comes naturally to an "exhorter. I almost
always mention an observation I have made about their giftings or personality
trait, making sure I add that I believe they were made for a special purpose
and plan !! People love to hear that and they leave feeling special, it never
fails to put a smile on their face and questions in their mind ! A seed has
been planted/watered and God takes care of the rest !
Why I know all believers have special gifts ?
Because the Bible says so !
I also believe it is up to us to make ouselves familiar with them, embrace
them, and develop them to their fullest potential.
You may ask,....."do we walk in those gifts automatically" ? Yes
we do, however sometimes blindly. Have you ever found yourself coveting others'
giftings or wishing you were more like someone else ? We all know THAT'S not
healthy nor can we be very effective, not to mention it leaves us feeling
unfulfilled and inferior. Many people have felt that way, but do you want
to know what they found ? By taking a simple survey they discovered what their
giftings are and were able to ascertain for themselves, not only what their
strengths are, but also work on their weaknesses.
I was no exception......with God's help,I determined for myself that indeed
I was created matchless. And so were you ! AMAZING isen't it!?
Years ago, I began doing some in-depth studying and research on these subjects,
plus thru much personal observation,I eventually began teaching
the " MOTIVATIONAL GIFTS" as well as the "FOUR TEMPERAMENTS".
It has been one of my most fulfilling ventures because not only am I exercising
my gift, I am able to see first hand, people experiencing their own "epiphany".....
" .........WOW..... you mean I'm SUPPOSE to be this way...." ?
YES ! God made us fearfully and wonderfully ! ( ps. 139 )
FOR HIS GLORY !
Blessings in Jesus......
Michelle Papineau-Stoen......Vancouver
British Columbia, Canada
Canadian House Church Resource Network