I was involved in a conversation last night with some gentlemen that sparked some serious thought and prayer for me. One man said that he was so upset that he felt like he has been loosing passion for what he as a Christian should be doing to stop the ‘evil’ in the world. Another man gave an example of a local controversy that seems to be yet again stomping on Christian beliefs and what are we as Christians doing about it? Another man in the conversation insisted that the recent events weren’t a big deal but that it all boils down to a heart issue with people and that we as Christians are to work on people’s hearts to lead them to Christ and that alone is what is going to change the world. Another man, who happened to be wise and exceptionally good looking (yes, it was my husband) said he felt that is was “both/and”. He feels we are to both work on helping others come to know the Lord as well as “do” something if the Lord is leading us to do it.

I tend to agree with all of them. I know that makes me sound pretty wishy-washy and if this was actually a debate, I would agree with that. However, I think in this case, I can agree with all of them.

I tend to be a passionate person. If there is what I believe to be an injustice, I get pretty fired up. The problem is I don’t always know what to “do” about it. After thinking and praying about this conversation, I think I know why.

I think God made it pretty clear to me that what I/we should “do” in these cases is to use the gifts that He has given us to make a difference in the situations that He has made us passionate about. My primary spiritual gift is intercessory prayer and when I get fired up about a situation, I think what God wants me to do first and most is, well, pray. The man who was talking last night about it being a heart issue and thinks we need to lead all men to Christ has the primary spiritual gift of evangelism.

I do think there are situations that He will ask us to “do” more than what we are comfortable with and it will grow and stretch us, but those will be to His glory and for our benefit. I think they are more rare than the norm.

May we learn what our spiritual gifts are and determine to use them. He equips us with these gifts for a purpose and He expects us to use them to “do” His will. I pray I/we will never lose our passion, still get fired up over injustices, stand up for what is right and never ignore the opportunity to help those in need but that we remember to “do” what we “do” the way God would have us “do” it. “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do , do it all for the glory of God.”

1 Cor 10:31