There Is A Place At The Table

​At a dream interpretation conference I was chosen to share a dream I consistently had over the years but never had the interpretation for.  I would dream of looking for antique jewelry, old books, and antique china.  The interpretation was this:  it all spoke of my inheritance (the antique part), it spoke of adornment (my giftings), and old china becoming a mature vessel for the Lord.  That moment was one of the most impacting moments of my life because I suddenly understood something about my identity.  The dream was a reflection of my search for what God had put in me and who I was.  
 
In a recent encounter with the Lord, I saw Jesus alone at the feasting table which was empty – the table representing family, community and faithful presence.   People were standing in front of but away from the table as they thought they had nothing worthy to bring to the feast.  I think a lot of us feel that way BUT  We are co-creators with Him, we are called to be in partnership with him, to do our part both here on earth and in the spirit. He has done his part now we do ours.
 
We all struggle with our identity and purpose but has God deposited in you what you have to bring to the table.    Rom 12:29  For God’s gift and His call are irrevocable. He never withdraws them when once they are given, and he does not change his mind about those to whom he gives his grace or to whom he send his call.   You are given as a gift to the body of Christ and gifted with the gifts of the Spirit to bring the Kingdom of God into each other's lives and here on earth.  We need each other.  We need your gifts at work in our lives.   If you are unsure of what giftings God has placed in you, there are numerous quizzes and information online.
 
We have been conditioned in mainstream pentecostalism to superstar giftings in the church – limited to those who are somehow worthy of being up front and ministering.  If we didn't have a place within in the fellowship we attended we pretty much had nowhere to serve.  Huge lie.  The gifts and who you are are meant for both inside and outside our spiritual gatherings.  You are uniquely gifted, talented and skilled to play your part in bringing the Kingdom of God to earth.  So many offences and wounds have come because we have not been allowed to or had a place to function and thought it could only be in the church.
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As always it is the LIES that hold us back:
 
I’m not good enough
Who do you think you are
You’re just being prideful
There’s no place for me
I’ll make a fool of myself
My gifts aren’t powerful enough
I’ll only get hurt putting myself out there
Nobody sees me
They don't appreciate me

​If you have come under the power of any of these lies, then the blood of Jesus and his cleansing and healing are available for you to be free and move forward. 
 
But there is a whole marketplace out there and those in fellowship we can be a blessing to.
 
1.  Our gifting mix is unique and fits only your destiny.
2.  We each have our own combinations and strengths.
3.  We can have different seasons where one gifting is more present than others
4.  There is a fascinating thing – even if we are not aware of our gifts or call we are operating in them because they are a part of your DNA (the degree of which depends on where we are in our walk).
5.  There are things that can make us less effective e.g. lack of fruit of spirit, immaturity in way you express the gift. 

There was another dream I had where a woman gave to me a beautiful pair of earrings her husband had given to her as a gift.  I took them reluctantly at her insistence.  There is more to the dream, but the crux of it was this:  some of us have been offended or hurt because we have endeavoured to use our giftings and been rejected and so have handed them off, giving others the responsibility by default.  But this doesn't work because only you have that unique combination designed to be a blessing for the people and places you will find yourself involved with. 

If you have stepped back for any reason, the communication lines are always open with the Father.  Repent, forgive those who offended you, seek him for understanding of what he has put in you and called you to be and do.  Don't rely on others to do this for you.  Let Jesus be your first port of call.  He does not walk away from you even when you disconnect the communication lines or want to hand it all back to him so there is no burden. 
 
We are gifted to be a blessing to others around us.  The body of Christ needs you. If you are not aware of what your giftings are, then do some research.  Got Questions.org is good place to look.  Read books, learn how to function in those gifts, learn about the negative traits of them, they are an opportunity to grow in the fruit of the spirit.  Make room for each other’s gifts.  Learn what they look like in that person and become a team player.  Don’t covet what you haven’t been called to.  It will never fit you, you will become frustrated, find it hard to walk in love and may cause chaos for others.  You have your own 5000 to look after.  Ask God who they are.