Every follower of Christ has a role to play in the body of Christ — a role God specifically gifted them to play. The struggle many people have is discovering the gift so they can play the role.

It’s not uncommon for frustration to accompany this process as Christians wrestle with uncertainty, inadequacy or even failure in the journey. Yet, regardless of how we feel, we are gifted, and those gifts do serve a purpose.

In Romans 12:6-8, the apostle Paul described a handful of these spiritual gifts. He said, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”

There’s a specific way in which God calls us to use our spiritual gifts. But before believers can recognize what that looks like, they need to discover which gift (or gifts) they have.

Several years ago, a friend offered me a simple test to identify my spiritual gifts. He said, “A person usually has a specific spiritual gift if they experience three things: fulfillment, fruitfulness and feedback.”

Fulfillment

Fulfillment happens when we experience a personal sense of satisfaction as we use a gift. Biblical fulfillment isn’t about narcissistic ego boosting. Rather, it’s a natural byproduct of functioning in the sweet spot of our divine design and area of giftedness.

God doesn’t want us to be miserable as we exercise a gift. Yes, there may be initial feelings of apprehension or fear, but the long-term use of gifts should produce a genuine sense of satisfaction.

Fruitfulness

Fruitfulness should be the outcome of our spiritual gifts. In other words, when we use a gift, good things should happen. People should benefit, and situations or circumstances should improve.

The fruit for each gift might look different, but all gifts should produce positive outcomes.

Feedback

Feedback (that is, positive feedback) will usually surface when people operate in their gift zone. We shouldn’t have to hunt for it, ask for it or manufacture it; rather, people (especially leaders) will generally affirm or compliment us when we are doing what God wired us to do.

The long-term use of gifts should produce a genuine sense of satisfaction.

When we experience all three — fulfillment, fruitfulness and feedback — there’s a good chance we’ve stumbled onto one of our spiritual gifts. If one ingredient (or more) is missing, we may need to test the waters, gain more experience, and carefully reflect (with the help of a spiritual leader) on what we’re learning.

Once we discover our spiritual gifts, we have the responsibility to deploy and steward each gift wisely, in a way that honors the Lord and serves people. In Romans 12:3-8, Paul not only provides a snapshot of spiritual gifts, but he also describes three ways to function effectively in our spiritual gifts.

1. Be focused. Paul makes it clear that we have different gifts, not all the gifts (verse 6). We must focus on the gift we have, not the gift we wish we had. God gave each of us what we need to fulfill the unique mission He designed us to serve.

2. Be humble. As we exercise our gifts, we must remember that God gave them to us out of His grace (verse 6). We can’t manufacture our own gifts. God entrusts them to us, but the gifts are never about us; God provides them so that we may glorify Him as we serve one another.

3. Be excellent. Paul described the quality behind the deployment of our gifts. Those with the gift of giving should give generously. Those with the gift of leading should lead diligently. Those with the gift of mercy should show mercy cheerfully. In other words, we should deploy our gifts with excellence, not out of a half-hearted or half-baked attempt just to get by.

Paul further expounds on the various spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14. Interestingly, sandwiched between these two chapters is what we commonly refer to as the love chapter. First Corinthians 13 describes the spirit behind Chapters 12 and 14.

In other words, love is the engine that drives the exercise of spiritual gifts. We should be focused, humble and excellent, but we must also do everything out of a spirit of love.

Wherever you are in your spiritual journey, determine to discover, and then faithfully deploy, your spiritual gifts — even as you encourage others to use their gifts.

Find your sweet spot, and then exercise your gifts in the manner Paul describes.

When you’re focused, you’ll make your greatest contribution. When you’re humble, God will receive the greatest glory. When you’re excellent, people will receive the greatest benefit. And when it all flows out of love, it will matter for eternity.