“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other”. Galations 5 v22-26

When I first became a Christian I was sure I had no gifts; there was nothing in me that God could use. I looked at others and saw they could play instruments, lead singing, were knowledgeable about scripture or liturgy or other things I wanted to be, but wasn’t. Maybe you feel a bit like this? That when people talk about gifts you think you haven’t got any?

Yet this passage says something quite different. It tells us we shouldn’t envy or compare ourselves with others as if some are better or worse because we are all originals! If we are living God’s way then our lives will be full of God’s gifts – as surely as a fruit tree bears fruit. An apple tree doesn’t struggle to make apples or want to be a pear tree. It just grows apples by being an apple tree.

Gifts are not the things we can do but the way we live - with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness gentleness and self control. They are gifts that change us into truly loving spirit-filled people.

In fact we are the gift to others! Not that we need wrapping up and giving to someone for their birthday but that the way we live each day will affect others. We bring God’s gifts of love and joy and peace etc into the world. We bring God into the lives of those around us just by being there. Don’t waste time comparing yourself to anyone else because God has made you to be you! You are a unique and special gift of God.

Pam, October 2008