The Holy Spirit grants us very specific spiritual gifts in our confirmation, but we also speak of spiritual gifts more broadly – as special graces, or charisms. Charisms are abilities given to us by the Holy Spirit so we may be unique and powerful conduits of God’s love in the world: “Charisms are oriented toward sanctifying grace and are ... at the service of ... the Church” (CCC 2003) and the building of the kingdom. God wants us to discover our spiritual gifts and his will for us through relationship with him. So how can we know what God calls us to do? How do we discover our talents? And how do we use the gifts given to us?

The discernment process

First, we must begin the process of discerning what our unique gifts are, recognizing that discernment itself is a gift. God created each of us as unique, according to his purposes, and gives each of us individual talents (i.e., gifts, charisms) we can use to help bring about his kingdom on earth. Asking God for his guidance through prayer helps us gain clarity, for he knows us better than anyone! As it says in Jeremiah: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” (1:5) Talking to loved ones and friends can also be useful. The qualities they value in us may be good indicators of our gifts and talents. Are we good at relationship advice? Do we usually know just the right thing to say to comfort one who is grieving or hurt? Even if these gifts may seem “ordinary,” they contribute to what make us truly special.

Cultivate your gifts

Once we have an idea of what our gifts are, we should plan to cultivate them. A great place to start is in your parish. Love talking to people? Perhaps be a welcome coordinator for new parish families. Like organizing details? Head up the planning committee for the parish picnic. Enjoy public speaking? Serve as a lector at Mass. Spending time engaging in your unique talents helps you not only develop them but also discern whether you should pursue them further, in your professional and personal lives, but also in service to God’s Church.

God asks us to use our special gifts to love others and create positive change in our corner of the world. We cannot bury them! Consider the parable of the talents: The workers who invested the master of the house’s coin made a valuable profit for him, but the worker who hid his in the ground gave back only the one coin to his employer. (Mt 25:14-30) Investing in and using our gifts bears manifold fruit; squirreling them away from the world defeats the purpose of God entrusting us with these gifts.

Trust in God’s will during this discernment process, and remember that you are living as God intended when you do your best to be an instrument of Christ in the world.