I got a headslap from God this week.
What’s a headslap, you ask? Well, I’m a fan of a TV show called “NCIS.” The lead character, Leroy Jethro Gibbs lovingly corrects his team with a slap to the back of their heads. It’s a Gibbs’ slap.
This week I got a God slap.
I’m currently reading two different Bible studies. One in the morning, Made to CRAVE, by Lysa Terkeurst. (You can find it here – not an affiliate link) And at night this month, I’m studying verses from a 30 day devotional on diligence that I found on Pinterest or somewhere. (author unknown) And I got a headslap.
I had started the diligence study once before, but I wasn’t diligent enough to finish it. (The irony is very clear here.) So, I rearranged the days to put the ones I’d done (hit and miss) at the end of the month.
So, after all the juggling of the daily readings, I was even MORE impressed when my 2 vastly different studies had me reading the SAME verse ON THE SAME DAY.
1 Timothy 4:15 “Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.” or NASB ” Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to all.”
What things? What’s the REAL headslap?
In the verses immediately before this, Paul tells Timothy:
- Pay attention to Scripture
- Pay attention to exhortation
- And teaching
- NOT to neglect his spiritual gift
If God thought I needed this to the point that I needed to read it twice in 18 hours, it must be a key message for me.
Next step after a headslap:
Figure out why God keeps showing me this. I’m definitely paying attention to this Scripture since it showed up twice in the same day. My day job is filled with opportunities to teach and exhort my students. (Maybe I could do better exhorting at home…) My mainĀ spiritual gift is teaching, and I’ve got that covered.
Or do I?
And – do you?
There’s a free online test to determine your spiritual gifts here. Take time to take it today. I’ve seen in my own life that my gifts are a bit fluid. Teaching is always in the mix, but sometimes it’s not #1.
As I retook the test today, an opportunity came to mind. Something I’d been wanting to do as a ministry in my home church. Something that someone asked me about just this past Sunday. Then my results came back: Giving, Teaching, Knowledge.
Maybe I need to give time to my church to teach this new thing and share my knowledge at the same time. I guess I’ll be checking on that. And I’ll get back to you with what I learn.
I’ll be diligent in this. What do you need to be diligent in today? Thanks for stopping by. I’m praying for you as you explore your spiritual gifts. Let me know what you discover.
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