The Bible says, ‘There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.’ (1 Corinthians 12:4 ^NKJV) The word ‘gifts’ comes from the Greek word ‘charis’, which literally means grace. That means you cannot earn, qualify for, work for, or deserve a spiritual gift. The Holy Spirit gives them to each of us ‘individually as He wills’. They are not something you get by study, practice, or inheritance. They are not highly developed natural talents. They are supernatural endowments that enable you to carry out God’s will in God’s way. And you will never discover God’s way until you realise that you are not meant to serve Him by drawing on your own abilities, but by depending upon the indwelling power of His Spirit. In a sense, you are like a glove; the Holy Spirit within you fills that glove, moves it and accomplishes through it what needs to be done.

A young pastor once said to an older pastor, ‘I’m discouraged because God expects the very best from me, and as hard as I try, I can’t always give it to Him.’

The older pastor said, ‘Son, God expects nothing from you but failure!’ Then he added. ‘But He has given the Holy Spirit to you so that you need not fail.’

Jesus told His disciples, ‘He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.’ (John 15:5 ^NKJV) The secret to success is not just in activity, but in abiding! Your job is to learn the ways of God, and lean on the power of God.