I once answered yes to all of these questions. But once I came to grips with what was truly important and began to fan the flame of gifts that were burning inside of me, I became a pit bull terrier for my passion. I achieved this by drawing closer to God. I read and meditated on His Word more as I desired more knowledge. But most importantly, I prayed intently without ceasing and I removed those from around me that was abusing my gift for their own selfish desires. And I discovered the power to dream and act on God's vision for my life.
So how is the fulfillment of vision meant to work in practical terms?
What you were designed to be known for is your gift. God has put a gift or talent in every person. It is this gift that will enable you to fulfill your vision. It will make a way for you in life. It is in exercising this gift that you will find real fulfillment, passion, purpose, and contentment in your work.
God gives us gifts and talents that will be a blessing to His body and the lost. He is no respecter of persons and He will open the doors for your gifts and your life ministry. But some of us have allowed our gift flame to die and go out or to become deferred. So many of us let the hardships of life, the abuse of our gifts, deferred manifestation to hinder us from walking in our gifts. Our Father, does not desire for us to let the gift of the Holy Spirit to lie dormant in our lives.
1 Timothy 4: 11 tells us, “Neglect not the gift that is IN you which was given you…"
2 Timothy 1:6-7 tells us this same truth slightly different, "This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline..”
Every one of us who has received the Holy Spirit has within us great possibilities and unlimited ability. God has given to each one of us spiritual gifts to benefit His body and to glorify Himself. If we never activate and use these gifts they will be buried and lost in the grave eternally. A fire that is neglected will soon die out. God may have gifted you to teach. Not doing it (even in the smallest capacity) means your gift remains dormant. God may have given you the gift of Leadership, Giving, Faith, Administration, Wisdom, Healing, Helps, Encouragement just to name a few.
What are your gifts? And are you putting all of them to use? Or have they settled at the bottom of your heart–lying dormant. Have you allowed fear to cripple you to complacency? I have discovered so much about my God given abilities and gifts once I surrendered this earthen vessel back to Him. Believe me I have been stretched and challenged but I have discovered so many facets to my giftings that I would have never known if I had allowed my gifts to remain doorman and I astounded at the fulfillment that I feel.
Don’t let your gifts lay dormant! Enter into prayer to stir up your extraordinary gifts…it's in you!
Enter into Prayer
Heavenly Father I come to You now in Jesus Christ’s Holy Name and by the power of your Spirit. I apply the Blood of Jesus Christ over me and I ask You Lord Jesus Christ to multiply in me and impart every blessing, anointing, gifts, and impartations that You have for me. I know Father that every gift you freely bestow upon me and it is to be used for your glory. Heavenly Father, I ask You to stir the gifts in me and increase Your anointing without measure so that I can do Your Work and do Your Will in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ,
Lord Jesus Christ, I ask You to cover me with Your anointing, glory, and tangible Presence, give me a fresh new release and flow in my inner (wo)man with rivers of living waters springing up forth abundantly with Life abundant, fill me to over-flowing with Your favor, compassion and love, Your wisdom and understanding. Lord, I ask You to anoint and pour Your Anointing on me. Give me Your eyes to see spiritually, and a heart to understand and be led by Your Holy Spirit, to help me to be bold, confident and be obedient, to do Your will. Fill me with Your gifts, anointing and blessings and all else You have for me.
Thank You Lord for the spiritual gifts that have been given to me. Thank You for the gifts of the Spirit: The word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, workings of miracles, prophesy, discerning of spirits, divers kinds of tongues and the interpretation of tongues according to 1 Corinthians 12:8-10. Thank You for the fruits of the Spirit: Love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control according to Galatians 5:22.
I ask You, Heavenly Father to allow all blessings, gifts and promises of God to flow to me unhindered at all times. Heavenly Father, we ask You to crown us with Your lovingkindness, tender mercies, goodness, grace and Your peace. Heavenly Father we receive these blessings, gifts and promises and we apply them by faith to our lives. We thank You, Heavenly Father, for giving us these things. We pray Your Will be done in all things. In Jesus Mighty Name we pray, Amen.