Written by Nate Plugge

Read: “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal…” 1 Corinthians 13:1

My three-year-old son loves to play the drums. Every time we visit my in-laws, the old trap set tucked away in the corner of the attic gets quite the workout. The smile on his face as he clangs and bangs is such a joy to see as a parent, yet the sound has me grabbing for earplugs. My son may have a God-given gift as a future musician; however, it will require intentional formation to turn his drumming from noise into music.

The same can be said for us as we learn how to steward and utilize our spiritual gifts. Although we all play a part in advancing God’s Kingdom here on Earth according to our unique giftings, we must anchor the use of our gifts in our personal formation to become a people of love.

Paul explains this in 1 Corinthians 13. He simultaneously affirms the gifting of those who are in the church (tongues, prophecy, faith, giving, mercy) while also explaining that the climate of love in which the gifts are deployed is far more important than the gifts themselves. Without love, Paul says, the gifts produce exactly the sound my son makes on the drums in my in-laws’ attic.

If we are not intentional regarding our formation into people of love, we will not be able to adequately steward and channel the gifts God has given us. This formational focus is the climate that will grow, develop, and edify our individual giftings and strengthen the body as a whole.

If you are looking to grow and develop your spiritual giftings, make it your ambition to pursue Jesus and invest more deeply in our church community. As you deepen your relational roots, it will come with ample opportunity to extend forgiveness, display grace, and give mercy. All of these are examples of practices that God uses to transform you into a person of love. This part can be uncomfortable yet vitally necessary as we learn to steward the gifts we have received.

In the birth of the church in Acts 2, the Spirit was poured out in power. Tongues of fire and rushing wind. But the sustaining power of the church was seen in a community of people who were stubbornly committed to loving one another and becoming more like the One who clothed them with His Spirit.

The gifts of the Spirit will result in signs and wonders. And yet, the greatest miracle of all may be a community of people choosing to favor one another and become more like Jesus over the long haul. Together.

If we choose to live this way, I am confident that it will be music to God’s ears.