This Sunday, we continue our Lenten journey and embark on a deeper exploration of the beautiful world of spiritual gifts. Each of us has been lovingly and intentionally designed by God with specific talents, abilities, and perspectives. These unique attributes are not merely coincidences—-they are purposeful flowers in the gardens of our creation. Our differences, rather than dividing us, enrich the collective strength of our communities and the world.

Think for a moment about the diversity in nature. Each flower, each leaf, each snowflake is a masterpiece of uniqueness, and yet they all belong to the same creation. Similarly, we are each crafted with distinctive qualities that contribute to the greater whole. Together, our uniqueness forms a gloriously diverse and rich garden of purpose and potential.

Consider the seeds of thriving plants like dandelions, milkweed, cottonwoods, and thistles. These beings rely on nature’s gift of wind to carry their seeds far and wide. Each seed is cradled by a delicate parachute of silky filaments, enabling it to soar gracefully through the air until it finds its place to take root and grow. These seeds remind us of our own spiritual gifts, which are designed to lift us, guide us, and help us find fertile ground where we can thrive and serve. Just as its parachute helps provide lift and movement for the seed, your spiritual gifts are your God-given tools for navigating life’s challenges and fulfilling your purpose.

These gifts are not meant to be hidden or held back. Like seeds that rise into the wind, our spiritual gifts are meant to spread beauty and hope, reaching places we may never have imagined. When you embrace your gifts—your vibrant colors—you become part of a divine cycle, planting seeds of light, love, and transformation in the hearts of those around you.

This week, we invite you to pause and reflect on the ways God has uniquely equipped you. What are the talents and passions that set your heart on fire? How can you use these gifts to serve and to live each day more fully? Discovering and embracing these spiritual gifts is not just about self-fulfillment; it’s about stepping into your calling and fertilizing and enriching the garden of life.

Join us this Sunday as we contemplate the truth that each of us has been wonderfully made for a purpose. Together, we will explore how to identify our unique gifts, how to lean into our calling, and how to walk through our lives meaningfully and intentionally. Are you ready to soar?