Wandering among lush beds of flowering bulbs, I marveled at the variety of colors, textures, shapes, and sizes contained in Keukenhof gardens. Flaming red tulips stood at attention next to golden yellows. Nearby, white tulips with delicate, fringed petals and purple centers swayed in the breeze. Drinking in the sheer beauty of the brief blooming season, we dodged through crowds and around influencers attempting to get the perfect selfie. Designed in 1857 for the grounds of Holland’s Keukenhof Castle, the English landscape style garden has become a national treasure in the Netherlands.
“In 1949 a group of 20 leading flower bulb growers and exporters came up with the plan to use the estate to exhibit spring-flowering bulbs, signaling the birth of Keukenhof as a spring park…Keukenhof is the international and independent showcase for the Dutch floricultural sector, with a special emphasis on flower bulbs. In the space of eight weeks Keukenhof shows what the Dutch floricultural sector has to offer. The park’s focus is on the 7 million spring-flowering bulbs, which allow the 100 participating companies to show their living catalog.”*
Gazing at the beauty of this spring wonderland, I marveled at the creativity of designs in the flowerbeds and surrounding gardens. Each flower had its own unique beauty, but when combined with other varieties, they created incredible works of living art. And, as often happens with me, seeing this natural beauty pointed me back to the Creator of it all and made me think of the gifts He gives His people. Through us, He showcases His beauty. And when we combine with other believers to use our gifts, His glory blooms for all to see. You can find mentions of spiritual gifts in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4. In one of those passages Paul explains:
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work…All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-6 & 11, NIV)
Additionally, in Ephesians Paul elaborates on how God gives us gifts to build up the body of Christ, to bring us to unity, to give us knowledge of Christ, and to foster spiritual maturity. And in Romans he describes spiritual gifts like the parts of the human body—each performing a different function, but all combining to accomplish God’s purposes. Together, believers are a dwelling place for God’s Spirit and reveal His presence in the world:
“As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:4-5, NIV)
Like Keukenhof’s “living catalog” of flowers, we’re “living stones” showcasing something far more eternal than blooming bulbs. Indwelt by God’s Spirit, we’re called to join together with other believers to embody Jesus. This means submitting to the Lord’s sanctification—the gradual process of becoming more like Christ as we grow in obedience and spiritual maturity.
C.S. Lewis explains in his classic book Mere Christianity, “the question is not what we intended ourselves to be, but what He intended us to be when He made us… We may be content to remain what we call ‘ordinary people’; but He is determined to carry out a quite different plan. To shrink back from that plan is not ‘humility’; it is laziness and cowardice. To submit to it is not conceit or megalomania; it is obedience.”** Lewis’ direct approach may sting at first, but his words should challenge us to consider where we’re stalling spiritually or becoming complacent. Many factors can hold us back from continuing to grow in sanctification and to use our spiritual gifts. Will you prayerfully consider what that might be for you?
Is it lack of knowledge? We’re called to continue growing and learning how to follow Jesus from the moment we receive Him until we meet Him face to face. Part of this means discovering and using our spiritual gifts. Books and assessments can help you narrow down what gifts you may have, but trial and error also show them. When it doesn’t feel like work and you experience true joy, there’s a good chance you’ve discovered one of your gifts. Consider praying and asking the Lord to show you the gifts He’s given you and where you can try them out.
Is it lack of motivation? Sometimes we get comfortable with our level of engagement in the spiritual realm and don’t feel compelled to discover or use our gifts. Whether it’s rooted in fear, complacency, or selfishness, we’d rather be consumers benefitting from others’ gifts than sharing what He’s given us. Falling into this mindset means missing out on the abundant, joyful, fulfilling life God intends for His people. If you’re lacking motivation, consider praying and asking God to re-light a fire in you.
Is it lack of direction? Knowing your gifts but not having an outlet to use them can be frustrating. Serving at church is one way to use them, but it’s not the only one. Start every day inviting the Lord to use your gifts and asking for His Spirit to prompt you. Sometimes obeying God with one small step opens new opportunities to use your gifts and to bless others.
Whether you’re showcasing God’s beauty as a single, radiant tulip or joining with other believers to serve Him, ask the Lord to take what He’s given you and use it to display His glory.
- *https://keukenhof.nl/en/about-keukenhof/
- ** C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, Macmillan Publishing Co., 1952, 173.
