(In September 2020, this blog was blessed to have a series of blogs written by Shirley R. Evans on Freedom and the Godly Woman. Shirley is back with a brief series on the subject of gifts in the Body of Christ – knowing them and putting them into action. Part one established how gifts are a part of God’s masterpiece and we all contribute by exercising those gifts. The second part helped with steps to discovering and activating the spiritual gifts. In this final part, Shirley gives personal experience and sound insights in why it’s so crucial to use gifts for the glory of God … For His Name’s Sake, Shalom, C. L. J. Dryden.)
The sad thing is that too many believers remain ignorant of their gifts or are not aware of the full potential of them. Even worse is when you know that you have a gift and are afraid to own and walk in that gift. Let me explain by sharing my own experience. You see I have a secret. I have a gift that, until recently, I never fully owned and until now I have never stated. Why, you might ask, is that?
Before the Change: The Call and Lack of Response
Over a period of around 20 years I have been anointed in different locations and occasions by different people who each said the same thing – You will speak for me.
I never doubted the truth of these words and regularly prayed them back to God. Each occasion I am asked to speak, I remind God – you said that I would speak for you so here I am. However, I have over time realised that this has fallen way short of what God intended. What held me back? Firstly, I have to acknowledge the timing of God. I believe it was nearly 15 years after His first anointing that David became king. Like David, I was initially immature in my faith. I have always been a rebel at heart – God has had to tame my rebellious nature, so that I am submitted to Him. I didn’t fully own the call because I was in part rebellious and unsubmitted.
The second thing I believe held me back was the confusion and debates around gifts. Within my church circle, I have never seen or heard this gift recognised as such. Over the years there have been people who operated from time to time in this way but it was never recognised in my church circle and so I didn’t actually recognise it for what it was.
The final thing that held me back was the fact that it was me. I heard a saying once that I own to be a truth. You can’t speak to a man better than you see a man. I was just Shirley – no great family of standing, no recognised office, etc. I was not discipled in terms of operating in my calling or gifts. My gifts for teaching and service were utilised at local level but not to any degree beyond that. Without anyone pouring into my life or encouraging what they could see it just remained pretty much untapped yet to be unleashed.
The Change
I spent three months in the Summer of 2019 in the United States with my husband. I was away from my home church and the all that was familiar. Whilst overseas, God made a move that caused me to sit up and take note. I was asked to speak at my husband’s church and on subsequent occasions in other churches I was asked to speak or pray. I didn’t think much of it until people began to give me a title.
I was concerned so spoke initially with the Pastor’s wife who explained it was because I carried the word. In conversation with my husband, he reaffirmed this and went on to say there was an anointing on my life. Wherever I went others would comment on the anointing and my witness. I believe it was at that point that I went to God and said, OK God I hear You – what is it that You want me to do.
Our potential as children of God can remain unrealised because we have no working model as a reference point. What’s more, how we see ourselves is all too often determined by what others say about us. There are seasons in our lives where God has to separate us from all that is familiar, so that in the silence and away from all that would normally influence us He has our full attention and He will cause us to know just who He says we are.
We are told in scripture of Elijah who God told to hide himself by the brook Cherith and that God sent ravens to feed him and that he was ministered to there. Here, separation from everything that is familiar & time alone with God, is to be desired. Here we lose the mantel that others have given us and we reframe our thinking in line with who God says we are.
Living Out the Consequences of the Change
Since that time in America, I have owned my assignment and make myself available for the business of kingdom building. It’s all about stewardship, preparation and opportunities. It starts with a simple, Yes, Lord. Every opportunity I am given, I use the gift God has given me for His glory.
When God said You will speak for me, I did not recognise or own the gift of the prophetic. Now, I recognise that whenever I teach or speak my assignment is to make the Kingdom of God a reality. It is to bring a right now word to every situation. It is the gift on which all the other gifts I have operate.
Now that I have accepted this assignment, I am the most fulfilled that I have ever been in my Christian walk. I have joy, I am at peace, even when under attack. My gift is not about any office or position or denomination. It is simply about kingdom building wherever I go. In fact, the realisation that the Kingdom is present wherever I am was a truth that liberated me. I don’t have to wait for the pastor to recognise or use me, I make myself available to God to use me and indeed He does.
As my daughter would say I am living my best life. I now describe myself as the Harriet Tubman of the gospel. My assignment is to set captives free within the body of Christ to be active in the rescue of those still held captive by sin.
Key points to apply in owning and using your gift to its full potential:
- Be fully submitted to the will and way of God
- Spend time in God’s presence – Let Him speak truth into your life
- Cast off the mantle of what men say you are, where those words fall short of God’s call.
- Recognise we are called to be Ambassadors to the world – be aware of all opportunities not those just within your immediate church community.
- Be part of a community of others with similar gifts or callings – every teacher needs a teacher. Join a forum of teachers, musicians etc.
- Remain teachable and accountable
- Disciple others – sow into the lives of others; encourage, support and pray with others so that they will achieve their potential
The Value of Teams
This would not be complete without recognising the value of teams. Now more than ever I appreciate the God–given model of the early church as listed in Ephesians 4 of the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, pastors and teachers. When and where all are present and doing their own specific work for the building of the kingdom, others are not only bought into the kingdom, they are taught, discipled and mentored. As well as that, their lives are developed so that they too can own and operate in their gifts and calling and in all God is magnified and glorified and His Kingdom here on earth is established and extended.
We do all so that His Kingdom is extended until it fills the whole earth. It is His plan that souls are rescued, and the kingdom continually established. This happens until the day when He Himself will put in appearance and fully establish the eternal kingdom.
I give God thanks for the teams He has placed in and around my life extending the Word of truth, prayer, counselling, opportunity, accountability and much needed support. We were never designed to be alone, or to do ministry or operate in our gifting alone. As Paul wrote to the in his Ephesian letter:
He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does if own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Ephesians 4:16
Thanks, and Closing Encouragements
I give God thanks for the teams he has placed in my life:
- My husband and the girls
- Pastor Devon Williams and Deacon Ronald Williams
- Pastor & Mom Terry and Room at the Cross Church
- Cynthia & Marion – a 3-strand cord is not easily broken
- Manchester Prayer Ministry & Noon Prayer Warriors (CoG7 UK)
- Christopher & Authrine Dryden – Team Orchard & Living Hope Fellowship
For anyone struggling because you feel your call doesn’t fit or you are not sure how it is useful to the Body of Christ, here are a few words of counsel: trust God; be prepared; work on your gifting; study much; read the Word and any other relevant material you are lead to read; pray much; surround yourself with people who will speak into your life. Find fellow kingdom believers who will hold you to account. Start right where you are with what is in your hand. Watch as your make yourself available how God will open doors you never even imagined.
Thy Kingdom come and Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
(Photo by Kira auf der Heide on Unsplash)
Blessings,
Shirley R. Evans of Eden Cumi Ministries
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