Romans 12:6-8 NLT

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. 

So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 

If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 

If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. 

If it is giving, give generously. 

If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. 

And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

Romans 12:6-8 NLT

These lists of "gifts" have often been taught as prescriptive- "here's the list, where do you fit, you must have one of these, finding your 'gift' is important", but when reading this as a letter it comes across more as an invitation to use what you're good at, what you're skilled at, what you enjoy, to bless and encourage others.

Perhaps this is what  "living sacrifices" looks like...

The emphasis seems to be less on the "what" Paul is suggesting people can do here, and more on the "how".

Earlier in his letter he had spent a lot of time writing about freedom from the law, and he's not creating new law or rules here, but inviting his readers to serve and bless others where God has blessed them. 

Same for us.

The "how" words matter:

Faith

Well

Encouraging 

Seriously

Generously 

Gladly

#letters

#invitation 

#focusonthehow