I was studying for my message at Starbucks tonight and I met a guy who attends another church on Capitol Hill. He saw me reading my Bible and struck up a conversation. He seems to be “eagerly desiring the gifts” but he’s in a church environment that isn’t open to that. Honestly, I was pretty tired and I was trying to finish up my message And I’m always super-senstive about always affirming other churches But I felt like it was one of those two-minute conversations that God ordained.

He asked me my take on the gifts of the Spirit so here’s what I told him.

First of all, I want everything God wants to give me. If God is giving out gifts I want to get in line Scripture tells us to “eagerly desire” the gifts. We ought to approach the gifts of the Spirit like they are nine presents wrapped up on Christmas morning.

Then I really felt like the Holy Spirit gave me a word of wisdom. I told him that marriage complicates your life. But it’s a good complication. Kids complicate your life. You’ve got to change diapers and arrange play dates Success complicates your life. Your life gets busier and busier. Wealth complicates your life. If you’re really blessed it’s a tax nighmare

Here’s the bottom line: good things tend to complicate our lives.

I think the gifts of the Spirit complicate our lives. But it’s a good complication. Those of you who have experienced the gifts of the Spirit know exactly what I’m talking about. It complicates your life in a good way.

I think one thing that keeps people from experiencing everything God wants to do in their life is the fear of complications. So we play it safe. We do what we’ve always done. We never exit our comfort zone.

I don’t know about you, but I want a complicated life!

The reward in the parable of the talents wasn’t early retirement or an extended vacation. It was more work! God blessed the faithful servant by complicating his life! But they were good complications or God complications!

FYI.

I’m a denominational mutt who has been on both sides of the charismatic fence I really wrestled with the legitimacy of the gifts for years! I’ve seen so many abuses on all sides of this issue. I know this can be a theologically-charged topic. One of my prayers is that I would always approach this issue in a humble way so that mutual respect rises even among people who agree to disagree with my theological take.

Lord, complicate our lives in ways that glorify you and further your purposes in us!