Miriam: Gifted

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us,

let us use them…Romans 12:6

God has gifted you. That’s right, whether you know it or not God has given you specific gifts and He plans that you would use them for the greater good and for edifying His church. One scholar noted, “ all spiritual gifts, the supernatural endowment or abilities, are given so that we may fulfill a specific role within the body of Christ.” Believers, we have a job to do, as did Miriam.

Indeed, Miriam was gifted. She prophesied, wrote poetry, sang, danced, played musical instruments, and led worship. That’s huge and in this case, it’s unique because she guided millions of Hebrew women to God’s throne (in the spiritual sense) and held them there. Worship like this is hard to describe, but if you’ve ever been part of such a holy communion, you know it and it’s like nothing else this side of heaven. It’s akin to the clouds parting and you seeing the glory of God – the Lord Jesus, standing at the gateway of heaven and bidding you come!

In those times, you feel you could run to Jesus, for all else pales, you’re undone, and time stands still. Your heart beats faster and feels full, as if to burst. That’s what happens when God’s amazing Spirit quickens your heart – again. In these rapturous moments, I’ve seen believers fall to their knees and weep and repent as God’s spirit so moves upon their hearts. It’s breathtaking to behold and guess what? Those nearby have a similar response. It seems God’s spirit falls upon them or quickens them simultaneously. At the sight of true brokenness, they, too, praise and worship with abandon through tears of joy, humility, and thanksgiving. It not only moves you, it changes you!

If you belong to a more “stoic” part of Christ’s body, perhaps you’ve not seen this. But I have, and so has Miriam. When the Red Sea parted, and millions of Israelites and those who gleaned near walked through on dry land – they worshiped with abandon. I’m sure that mere words could not adequately describe their posture of praise. It was an all-out throwdown for sure – probably “the likes” of which the world had never seen.

Get this picture in your mind. The sea parted and let them pass and, then, when the last Israelite was safe, it consumed the enemy – horses and chariots included – that’s the entire Egyptian army – swallowed up by the sea - poof and gone! The Israelites had not only seen first-hand deliverance but lived it! And now they were on the other side.

I love that phrase. On the other side, their hearts burned with love, and they worshiped and praised God. Believer, that’s where we want to be. On the other side – the spiritual of reality – the side where we look heavenward for every measure of needed help and see it. Miriam did and that’s how she became the first woman of record to write a hymn of praise! When and where did the anointing fall? On the other side of reality, and that’s where Miriam lived – in a heavenly mindset – with a kingdom vision and a kingdom purpose. That is - until she didn’t.

We’re not going to camp out here, but one day, religious and national pride got the better of Miriam and she incited a coo against Moses. God intervenes, though, and she finds herself near death, humiliated before all of Israel, and leprous. Moses, being not only a leader, but an intercessor prayed along with his brother Aaron that her life might be spared. Ultimately, it was, but she lived her remained days, silenced and still.

Even though what happened in the natural sense seems tragic, it wrought a great victory in the eyes of God. It was the means by which God restored His gifted servant unto Himself. After all, we belong to Him as do our gifts. He will never let us go and our gifts are for Him, first and foremost! All that we have, all that we are, and all that we can offer belong to God.

What's the takeaway? Don't squander your gifts; instead, with joy and humility, offer them to God. They belong to Him, and He has given them to you with purpose and forethought for good works that He has planned before the foundation of the world. Ultimately they are for the body - Christ's church - to build up, strengthen, and edify it, as Miriam's were. Yield to Him! A faithful God will guide you through the process as He has Miriam. Watch this: Miriam had no trouble finding the other side of the Red Sea because He led her there. Remember, once there, her gifts ignited! As a result, all the Israelites worshiped God with passionate joy and heartfelt praise. We must be willing to be led by God’s Spirit to find the other side!

Prayer: Mighty and gracious Lord, fill us and use us. Help us see the other side – the spiritual side of reality and live towards that end. Give us great joy and victory as we see heaven open and You bidding us, come! Thank you, Jesus! Amen and amen.