Christian Life

Do We Need to Identify Our Spiritual Gifts?

Kirk E. Miller

Does the Bible ever instruct us to “identify our gift(s)”? Or rather, does it simply assume one will know their gifting, and instruct us more on the reason they are giving (i.e., edification)?

I don’t want to argue that identifying one’s gift is unimportant. If you don’t know where you are gifted, that may create barriers to utilizing those gifts (alternatively, you might just end up using them intuitively without fully realizing it). My point, though, is, “identifying” gifts just doesn’t seem to be an emphasis in the scriptures anywhere. This sort of talk, I worry, can treat Spiritual gifts almost like some otherwise mysterious thing we need to diagnoses through a series of tests. I tend to think it’s not that complicated. I think Paul and Peter are more likely just saying, “Hey, God’s gifted you all in different ways to serve each other. Now go do that.” The focus is on the using of gifts–as if their identity is somewhat obvious to all–not the identification of them, as if that’s something still needing to be done.

But again, that’s not to say that in some cases it’s not helpful to help someone recognize the ways God has gifted them.

Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper (Book Recommendation)

Kirk E. Miller

The American Dream beckons us to waste our lives on trivial diversions like “success,” pleasure, and comfort. In contrast, in his book Don’t Waste Your Life, pastor John Piper directs us to scripture’s call to live lives that matter for eternity. Piper directs us to live with a single, unifying, all-embracing, all-transforming passion for God’s glory–which also will mean our highest joy.

Marriage Is Vanity

Kirk E. Miller

The following was a wedding homily, which I’ve adapted here for written and public format.

“Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun.” – Ecclesiastes 9:9

Marriage is vanity.

What do I mean by this?

The Message of Ecclesiastes

The book of Ecclesiastes describes everything in life as vanity. The book’s “preacher” sets out on an exploration to determine what is good for humans to pursue with the short lives we’ve been given (2:3). And after his exhaustive search, he concludes that it’s all vanity. “Vanity of vanities,” says the preacher. “All is vanity” (1:2).

In other words, nothing of ultimate value is to be gained in these things (2:11). He pursues wealth. But it’s not guaranteed; it can be lost. Moreover, it can’t ultimately satisfy anyways (5:10-17). He pursues pleasure. But the need for more never ends (2:1-11). He pursues knowledge and wisdom. But the fate of the wise is the same as the fool (2:12-17). He considers government. Maybe politics is the solution. But what he finds is bureaucracy, corruption, and oppression (Ecc 5:8). Maybe religiosity is the solution. But it leaves him exhausted (7:16). He dives into his work. But in the end, no matter what is gained in this life, it will come to an end when this life does, and amount to absolutely nothing (2:18-23).

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Changing Unwanted Thoughts (with Esther Smith)

Kirk E. Miller

Are you burdened by anxious thoughts? Does your mind race uncontrollably? Are you prone to ruminate? Maybe you are wearied with thoughts of hopelessness, self-deprecation, unpleasant mental images, or a range other unwanted thoughts. At some point or another, all of us experience some form of mental anguish or distress. In this episode, Esther Smith, seasoned counselor and author of A Still and Quiet Mind: Twelve Strategies for Changing Unwanted Thoughts, provides us a multi-faceted, Biblically-integrated approach for dealing with the battles in our minds.

Access the episode here. (Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more.)

The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness by Timothy Keller (Book Recommendation)

Kirk E. Miller

Our culture elevates self-esteem and self-worth. But this results in anxiety and insecurity as it leaves us needing constant validation. Instead, Tim Keller points us to 1 Corinthians 4 to propose that true peace is actually found by shifting the focus away from ourselves, freeing us from the tyranny of self-concern. By understanding and embracing the gospel message, we are released from obsessing over our own successes, failures, and what others, or even what we ourselves, think of us.