"I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith." (Romans 1:11-12)

Ever feel like whatever you bring to the table just isn't enough? It's such an easy trap. You look around at everyone else and figure they've got the wisdom, the talent, the clear sense of purpose—and you're just kind of there. But God doesn't hand out spare parts. He's tucked real strength inside you, whether you've spotted it yet or not.

Here's how it's meant to work: when the body of Christ actually operates in its God-given gifts, everybody comes out stronger. You were never meant to walk this out alone, and the church was never meant to run on the backs of a talented few.

God gives gifts to each of us so we can build each other up. Paul put it plainly to the church in Corinth: "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good" (1 Corinthians 12:7). Each one. Not the impressive few. We genuinely need each other. We all carry something different, and when those different gifts come together, the whole church gets stronger. Your gift fills a gap in someone else's life, and theirs fills one in yours.

That's exactly why Paul was so eager to get to Rome—to share spiritual gifts that would strengthen and steady those believers. He knew that when the Spirit's gifts are actually in motion, they bear real fruit. In another letter he describes it as building people up, stirring them on, encouraging and comforting them, the same way using a gift privately strengthens you personally (1 Corinthians 14:3-4).

And sometimes? It takes another person to help you see what you're carrying.

Years ago, my pastor laid his hands on me and prayed that I would write to encourage and bless the church. Honestly, I had no clue what that even meant at the time. I'd spent a lot of my childhood scribbling stories and plays, but that felt like a world away from something so weighty. God had already planted the love of writing in me—but that moment became a turning point in me actually becoming a Christian writer. He named the gifts of knowledge, evangelism and teaching over me, and that little bit of courage was enough to get me moving.

I think that was Paul's real heart in Romans 1. He wanted to be there in person, lay hands on those believers, and call out the gifts God had already placed in them. And he knew the result would be mutual encouragement—both of them walking away strengthened.

Your gifts aren't optional extras for the church. They're essential. You've got something the rest of us actually need. So take a quiet moment today and ask the Lord to show you what He's placed in you. And when you start to see it, don't sit on it. Step out. You never know whose faith gets steadier simply because you were willing to share what God put inside you.

A Few Honest Questions:

1. Whose words once gave you the courage to step into something you weren't sure you could do?

2. Is there a gift you keep downplaying because it feels too small or too ordinary to matter?

3. Who in your life might be waiting for you to name the good you see in them?