Party Time
We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. (NIV) Romans 12:6
Gifts – Paul introduces the subject of gifts with the word charismata. The Greek text does not designate these as spiritual gifts. Church doctrine often views this word as though it is confined to the spiritual realm, but that is an extension and addition to the original thought. Paul notes only that these are gifts of grace given by God. There is no suggestion that they are uniquely limited to the operations of the church. They are for everyone who bears God’s image.
Charismata is part of a Greek family of words that come from the concept of joy. Chairo, chara, charis and others provide us with translations such as rejoice, joy, grace, give freely, bestow and thanksgiving. Gadamer captures the essential impact of this group when he says, “Joy is not just a state or feeling but a way of making the world manifest. Joy is determined by the discovery of being in its joyousness.” In other words, joy is not simply an emotional experience. The Greek background demonstrates that the word group surrounding “joy” is about actions that reveal the divine character of the world. What has been hidden is brought to light when men and women exercise the gifts given to them. They “manifest” the world in the process of their own fulfillment. There is a direct connect between my exercising my gift and revealing God’s glory in the world. This is why the Hebrew word for work is also the word for worship.
Alignment with the will of the Creator brings about a joyful experience of usefulness. God gifted His creation with the means to experience this divine symphony. Charismata are the inherent intentional unique gifts given to each individual in such a way that their expression reflects the joyful celebration of God’s harmony in creation. Charismata are God’s way of providing each human being with a means for revealing and reveling in the cosmic design. They are not acquired by training, not gained by study and not birthed by skills. They are gifted to us because they are expressions of God’s joy through us.
Therefore, the first corrective action necessary to understand the larger and deeper picture is to see that joy lies behind these gifts and that joy is the intended experience when these gifts are put to use. Joy is the celebration of existence within the cosmic design. It is just as potent in the field as it is in the foyer.
What Paul’s vocabulary suggests is that God grants expressions of His joy in the form of natural gifts. These expressions are the capacities for joyful alignment with the Creator that are designed into your uniqueness. We would call them talents. We recognize the individuality of these talents when we acknowledge them in the world of art, music and sports, but we overlook their place in the rest of life’s activities. A natural leader is exercising just as much of the joyful expression of a gift as is an athlete or musician. When it comes to greatness, it is usually about talent, not skill. When it comes to expressing what you were born to be, joy must accompany your manifestation of the world.
Does your work give you joy? Do you experience delight in the way that you manifest the world through what you do? If you could not answer immediately with a resounding “Yes!”, then perhaps you are not operating the intentional charisma gifted to you. Work without joy is labor, not harmony.
Here’s the critical question for daily application. Are you joyful? Is your life filled with rejoicing as you express the gift God has given you? Are you a delight to God and blessing to others? Recent surveys tell us that 70% of working people hate their jobs. That is certainly not joy. It means that they are not expressing the gift God put in them at birth. If you’re among that 70%, it’s time to find another way. The Bible does not portray life with God as drudgery. It portrays life with God as celebration. Are you ready to join the party?
Topical Index: Transformation
