if you knew the gift of God

A relatively new idea to me, this theory of gifting that the modern church has. Never heard of it ONCE until a decade ago. Perhaps not important enough to mention to young ones, although how they would choose their lives without knowing is beyond me.

At a fundamental level, I believe He has gifted us with a reason in mind -- and that reason being that He expects us to make use of those gifts. No Indian-giver, He's not taking them away if unused. But if you think you don't have a responsibility to use them, you'd be wrong. Do I believe that there is such a sin as the sin of disuse? It's really more a variation on the general theme of disobedience, really. But yes, sinful.

Can you develop gifts that you were not given? Probably. But never to the fruitfulness or potential of the true gifts given to you, methinks. Then how do I determine mine? If you think the answer is found in those ridiculous 40-question tests, you don't understand anything about anything.

If he bids me fly, etc. Take the step of faith, and when the water-walking comes second nature, you know you've found one. Those multiple choices will only mislead you, desires of the heart and all. Don't mislead yourself in trying to fit a gift not wrapped for you.