05/20/2026
Discerning the Gift and the Calling
Scripture Reading
"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully."
— Romans 12:6–8 (NIV)
Devotional Thought
Every single person God brings across your path is carrying an assignment. No relationship in your life is just "blah." They are all carrying three distinct things: a gift, a calling, and a purpose.
The struggle many of us face is that we miss the gift someone carries because we get tripped up by their personality. We look at their quirks, their background, or their rough edges, and we totally overlook the perspective, wisdom, strength, or accountability that Heaven placed inside them for our benefit.
Think about it this way: everyone is called to somebody. Even Jesus recognized this when He said He was sent to the lost sheep of Israel. In the same way, God assigns people to your life for specific reasons. Some are assigned for warfare to stand with you in battle. Others are assigned for wisdom to guide you, some for healing to soothe your wounds, and others for preparation to stretch you. If we don't use spiritual discernment, we will completely misidentify why a person is in our life, and we will miss the grace God intended to flow through them to us.
Reflection
Who has God placed in your life right now that stretches you or challenges you? Have you been dismissing them based on their personality, or can you look deeper to see the gift and calling God has wrapped inside them?
Declaration
I choose to view the people in my life through the lens of spiritual discernment. I will not miss the gifts of wisdom, encouragement, or accountability that God is sending my way through others.
Closing Prayer
Father, give me eyes to see people the way You see them. Deliver me from superficial judgments based on personality or preference. Help me to recognize the gifts and callings in my spouse, my children, my friends, and my spiritual family, so that I can receive the grace You have deposited in them for my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.
