We Are All Spiritually Gifted!

Amanda Berry Smith (January 23, 1837 – February 24, 1915) was a former slave who became an inspiration to thousands of women; both black and white. She was born in Long Green, Maryland, a small town in Baltimore County. Her father's name was Samuel Berry, and her mother's name was Mariam. Her father, a slave, worked for years at night. And, after long days of field labor, he made brooms and husk mats to pay for the freedom of his whole family of seven.

She worked hard as a cook and a washerwoman to provide for herself, and her daughter, after her husband was killed in the American Civil War. Prayer became a way of life for her as she trusted God for shoes, the money to buy her sisters freedom, and food for her family. She became well known for her beautiful voice and inspired teaching. Hence, opportunities to evangelize in the South and West opened up for her.

In 1876, she was invited to speak and sing in England; traveling on a first class cabin provided by her friends. The captain invited her to conduct a religious service on board. She was so modest herself,  that the other passengers spread word of her. This resulted in her staying in England, and Scotland for a year and a half. She next traveled to, and ministered in India. Then Amanda spent eight years in Africa working with churches and evangelizing.

While in Africa she suffered from repeated attacks of "African Fever," but persisted in her work. As a strong proponent of the Temperance Movement, both in Africa and in the United States, she was invited by noted temperance advocate Rev. Dr. Theodore Ledyard Cuyler to preach at his Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn, New York.

After her travels she returned to her homeland, and eventually founded the Amanda Smith Orphans' Home for African-American children in a suburb of Chicago. She continued to visit various nations, and gained a reputation as "God's image carved in ebony." Amanda Smith retired to Sebring, Florida in 1912 due to failing health. She died in 1915 at the age of 78.   - "The Final Ministry of Amanda Berry Smith". Illinois Heritage. 

Even today, there continues to be a lot of confusion, and misunderstanding surrounding the wonderful spiritual gifts of God. Yes… there has been serious abuse and misuse. Yes… that has made people ignore and avoid them…And, yes...there are tons of misinterpretations and misrepresentations about these out there.

However, none of that should scare us, or steer us away from the wonderful truth that, as a Christian, God has given us spiritual gifts… No, nothing should cause us to skip over their importance. Just like Amanda Berry Smith, we all have been given spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit! Keep in mind, that along with that unity is great diversity, or differences.

Those differences come in the different gifts Jesus has given to His children. They are different gifts because we are different people with different roles, different functions, and different giftings (Ephesians 4:11). But know this...all of us have spiritual gifts! 

Scripture: Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 1 Corinthians 12:27-28; 1 Corinthians 1:7; Romans 12:4-5; Ephesians 4:12-13; Romans 1:11

Prayer:  Dear Father, Please give me the patience and wisdom so that I may be helpful to those in need. Amen

God loves you!

Holly