Gifted

The scriptures referred to are Romans 12:1-8.

The rule seems to be that one person or creative team comes up with the basic premise of a story and its characters and later interpreters create new twists on the same material. Bram Stoker's Dracula is creepy. He's pale, with prominent teeth, pointed ears, hairy palms and a mustache. But in later retellings, especially in the movies, Dracula is sexy, tragic and, unlike in the original novel, is destroyed by sunlight. Sherlock Holmes didn't have the deep psychological reasons for what he did in the original stories. That seems to have started when Nicholas Meyers, in his book and film The Seven Percent Solution, gave the detective a childhood trauma to explain his distrust of women, his use of cocaine and his need to avenge wrongs. Similarly characters like Doctor Who and the Marvel superheroes are now in the hands of writers and directors who were fans from childhood and they are adding new details to their personalities and backstories.

One creator broke the rules about leaving it to later generations to revise and change the basics of his story. The original premise for Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer was that into each generation only one girl is born with the power to fight demons. Other girls in the slayer lineage are merely potentials until the current slayer dies and then only one receives the power to succeed her. That remained true until the very last episode. Facing an army of vampires, Buffy, the Chosen One, comes up with a novel strategy: she has her magical friend Willow unlock the power of all the potentials. At a crucial point of the last battle, Buffy's disciples, as well as unsuspecting girls all over the globe, suddenly become stronger, more agile, and quicker to heal. The horde of demons are thrown back into the hellmouth, which is sealed. The irony is that only by ceasing to be the sole hero, by giving up her unique power, can Buffy save the day.

Though an atheist, Whedon acknowledged his fascination with Christian themes. Whether consciously or unconsciously, the last episode of Buffy echoes Pentecost. On that day, God broke the rule that only one chosen prophet should be his spokesperson and poured out his Holy Spirit upon all his disciples, empowering them to carry on Christ's mission to spread the good news. And it falls to each generation of the church to continue to proclaim the love of God in Christ by our words and actions. But in what way do we have God's power and how do we know what to do with it?

In today's passage from his letter to the Romans, Paul gives us the answer. “Do not be conformed to this world...” he starts out. Christianity is not concerned with what other religions tend to do in society: that is, show you how you fit into the order of how things are. Most religions bless the status quo. They tell you what your role is, often based on the sex or the social caste into which you are born. They emphasize loyalty to the spiritual and governmental authorities. Being good means preserving things as they are, regardless of whether those things are good for everyone.

Jesus didn't take on the role prescribed by the authorities of his day. He didn't come to fulfill the expectations of others, not even his own followers. This week we read of Peter telling Jesus that he recognizes him as the Messiah. Next week we will see Peter correcting Jesus and telling him what he's supposed to do and not do. The Messiah was supposed to be a warrior-king like David liberating his people from their oppressors. Jesus saw himself as the Lamb of God, whose sacrificial death liberates all people from what really causes the problems in this world: our sins.

But that doesn't mean that we can just go on as we have been, albeit grateful to Jesus for what he did. We are to be changed by uniting with Jesus. And so Paul continues “...be transformed by the renewing of your minds...” If, as Jesus said in Matthew 15:10-20, evil comes from within us, that is where true change starts: with a change of mind, a new perspective, a new way of thinking, activated by the Spirit who pours God's love into our hearts. (Romans 5:5) The world sees putting your desires first as worthwhile, even healthy. But God invites us to see this self-centeredness as an inevitably fatal path. (Matthew 16:25) The world tends to see helping out those who fall short as a waste of time. But God invites us to see the redemption of any person as a matter of supreme importance. (Luke 15:7) The world sees reconciling with one's enemies as virtually impossible. But God invites us to see this as difficult but well worth the hard work and sacrifice. (Matthew 5:44-45) In Jesus we see that how you go about doing something might be more important than getting the result you want. That's why even though a person might be inconvenient or even evil, the Christian solution is never to kill that person. In Jesus we see that people are always more important than things. That's why, no matter how badly we need or want something, the Christian solution is never to harm or exploit people to get it. As Dumbledore tells Harry Potter, we often must choose between what is easy and what is right.

This inner transformation is important, says Paul, “...so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.” When we see the world as God does, we see what he wants us to do about it. But that doesn't mean we all go about it in the same way. Being a Christian doesn't mean being exactly like every other Christian.

Just as different parts of the body have different abilities and different functions, so do the individuals who make up the body of Christ, the church. And Paul gives us a list of some of the gifts of the Spirit, which is by no means exhaustive.

Notice that no gift is absolute but is proportionate to the grace of God gives us. Not every singer is Taylor Swift. Not every physicist is Einstein. Not every writer is Shakespeare. Nor need they be. It is the same with Christians. We don't all get to be Mother Teresa or Billy Graham or Desmond Tutu. God made us who we are and put us where we are because we are what he wants at that place and time. We need not compare to others and feel inferior or envious. Rather we should think about what God has given us and figure out how to develop and use those gifts.

In this list Paul mentions prophesy first. He doesn't mean predicting the future. He means proclaiming the Word of God. That's what the Hebrew word for prophet means: a spokesperson. And Paul is not talking exclusively about professional preachers but about any Christian who can translate the gospel into terms people understand, which includes women. (1 Corinthians 11:5) And it is especially important to proclaim God's word when it is unpopular and goes against what the world proclaims, as Jeremiah did.

Next Paul mentions ministry. William Barclay translates this as “practical service,” based on the fact that the Greek word is the same one from which we get the word “deacon.” Barclay also notes how high Paul puts this on the list. Again the world often neglects to honor those who act as servants but as the ancient Stoics said, “Do you suppose it is only a general who makes a good soldier?” Indeed, can an army exist if it is made up only of generals? People who cannot be brought to Jesus through preaching are often drawn to him by those who humbly minister to the needs of others in his name.

Notice how open this gift is. There are many ways to be of practical service. When a friend of mine was brought home with terminal cancer, all of us, her friends, found ways to help—by sharing nursing skills, legal knowledge, making copies of forms, washing her hair, buying supplies, sitting with her, and bringing food. All of us had different gifts; all were necessary and appreciated.

Next Paul mentions teachers. This is different than preaching. Teaching involves explaining and offering background and depth to the gospel. It can give us perspectives on certain issues by looking at how Christians have dealt with the same or similar matters throughout history. Teaching equips us to, as it says in 1^st Peter, give an answer to those who want a reason for the hope within us. (1 Peter 3:15) Again teaching is a gift. It cannot be conferred merely by giving someone a degree. A degree can help but we have all suffered under professional teachers who may know their subject but cannot seem to communicate it to others very well. On the other hand, some of the most effective teachers we've encountered have been just regular people in our lives who imparted wisdom when we needed it.

The Greek word for exhortation can be translated invitation or encouragement. If you think about it, encouragement is an unappreciated talent. Society forgets how important it is to have people who are able to lift spirits, offer comfort, and cheer people on. It's easier to do something when you're working with or for someone who brings out the best in you. Often the difference between a person who accomplishes his goals and one who doesn't is a matter of receiving encouragement. Notice, too, that the word “courage” is embedded in the middle of encouragement. The ability to raise the courage in others is a major one. We all need those with the gift of exhortation.

Next Paul lists the gift of being a giver. The Greek word here means both simplicity and generosity. Paul is not talking about those who give in order to get praise but those who give for the joy of giving. And I don't think we need limit this to money. There are people who gladly give of their time or of their talents. They find pleasure not in accumulating things but in giving others what they need. Like encouragement, this is a vital gift, without which any community suffers.

It is interesting that Paul says the leader should exercise his gift in proportion to his diligence. The Greek work implies eagerness. The ability to lead is a gift but like all gifts it can be used for good or for evil. It can also be done lazily. There are charismatic bosses, team leaders and politicians who coast on their ability to attract allegiance. They let others do the hard work and enjoy the perks. I always cringe whenever our congressmen say they must vote to give themselves handsome salaries so as to attract the best people for the job. I'm not saying they should work for minimum wage but do we want people who will only run for office if it's personally profitable? Whatever happened to a sense of civic duty? God's leaders need to be diligent. They should become leaders because they can do it and they want it to do it well. And not all Christian leaders have to be ordained clergy. Many church and charitable organizations, committees, companies and other positions need Christian leaders. Sadly, conscientious Christian leaders are at a premium. They need to beware of the temptations of power.

Finally, Paul lists the gift of being compassionate or showing mercy. But again he pairs it with something unexpected: cheerfulness. Barclay feels that Paul is making a contrast with the kind of forgiveness that is offered with condescension. To be sure we need those who are compassionate and who weep with those who weep, which Paul realizes is appropriate. (Romans 12:15) But that can take a toll on the compassionate person. It is important to have a cheerful heart. After all God doesn't offer us mercy begrudgingly or in anger but out of his overflowing love. We need people who can correct others without crushing their spirit, who can help the fallen without looking down on them.

There are other gifts. Most of us have more than one. Some of yours may still be developing. And if we don't recognize them in ourselves, those who know us probably do. Our job and our joy is to find these gifts, hone them and offer them to God. Blessed are those who discover that what the world needs and what they can do and what they enjoy doing are one and the same, and who find in that oneness the unique way in which they were meant to reflect the glory of the incarnate God who shares his life and his power with us.