We have chased the tongues of fire,
The rushing of the wind,
And marvelled at the spectacular,
As though God was only found in miracles.
Yet from the same eternal Source,
That breath that hovered over the deep,
Some gifts are far more needed,
Yet less spoken of, less sought, less celebrated too.
Prophecy - the still, small voice,
Less heard, still more, less heeded.
Service that asks for no applause,
That sets the table, clears the room,
Carries what is left to bear.
Faithfulness made visible,
Kindness with sleeves rolled up,
Love that will not walk alone.
Teaching - the patient opening of the Word,
The steady lamp that illumines our paths every day.
Exhortation - a gentle hand upon the shoulder,
Words that don't condemn but call you forward.
Encouragement, the words of life and hope
That quench the other words of death,
And make the spirit rise.
Giving - that unseen gift so quietly fills another's need,
That needs no recompense or notice.
Here the fruit of goodness finds its hands and feet.
Leading - with zeal, not of ambition or control,
But of knowing where the path leads
And saving all from loss.
Always true, never faltering,
Faithful to the duty of the soul.
Mercy - perhaps most holy,
Cheerfully offered by the giver
Who has known it well
And cannot help but pass it on.
Here the Spirit's fruit may share its sweetest taste.
These are the quieter gifts.
They do not split the air
Or silence all with awe.
They are given in the ordinary hours,
In the overlooked places,
Among the unimpressive moments
That make up a faithful life.
They are not lesser gifts -
The gifts of simple obedience,
The Spirit's fruit pressed into daily service,
The shape of love so unconditional, so boundless and so free.
One God. One Spirit. One Source.
And of that Source, the Father,
Come gifts for every need -
The spectacular and simple,
The dramatic and the true.
Don't despise what heaven has honoured,
Or overlook the gift that sits so quiet, nearby,
Serving, teaching, giving, showing mercy -
To look here for no servitude,
But to humbly serve.
Mark Humber 2/6/2026
