A recent news show documented one of the largest diamonds ever discovered. The massive gem nearly topped the 500-carat weight mark. While I am sure that many people would love to imagine that diamond mounted and perched on their finger, the immense size makes it nearly impossible for practical use. Though I suspect some of you could come up with a use.
Almost two weeks later, a man digging in the dirt at Craters of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas found a 4.68-carat diamond after only three hours of work. Although the find does not top the size charts, it remains one of the larger diamonds found at the public access state facility.
Dare I ask the question, “What would you do with a new found diamond?”
My sermon series on the Holy Spirit didn’t cover the greatest diamonds discovered by humanity; instead it focused on something much greater, the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Although you can’t readily cash spiritual gifts in or mount them on a ring setting, you can put them into action for the betterment of others and the advancement of God’s Kingdom.
A difference between diamonds and spiritual gifts is that you don’t need to drive hundreds of miles or dig in dirt to find the spiritual gifts. However, the dilemma with these gifts is that you do need to spend some time discerning them and understanding them as to utilize them to their fullest potential.
Our website now lists a page entitled, Spiritual Gifts. A few clicks of the mouse and a little bit of your time will help to reveal to you the most probable gifts you possess. While the assessment test only helps to identify your potential spiritual gifts, you must learn how to best put them into practice for the advancement of God’s Kingdom.
Unlike diamonds that can be polished and smoothed to ultimately sit in a jewelry box or behind glass so people can stare at them, our spiritual gifts require continuous action in order to become more and more beautiful in the world.
While a limited few may benefit from the discovery of a few more diamonds, the entire world benefits when Christians discover their spiritual gifts and then put them into practice. On the one hand we could live without the diamonds; however, I fret to imagine a world void of the Holy Spirit’s manifestation in our lives.
Please take time to discover your spiritual gifts. You can do so by visiting the website (www.fumcmarlow.org) or you can ask the church to mail you a print version. Once scored, pray that God starts to reveal ways you can put your new found gifts into practice for Him.
Although you don’t need to dig in the dirt to uncover your spiritual gift, the mere validation of the Holy Spirit’s gifting can create such joy in your life, and the lives of others, it makes a 500-carat diamond only a rock.
I hope to see you at the discovery place on Sunday,
