To each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophesy. 1 Corinthians 12:8-9

If I had to identify my spiritual gifts, I would list teaching and encouragement. However, I have prayed for God to give me every one of the gifts mentioned in each of the spiritual gift passages. Why not ask big, right? How amazing it would be to touch someone as Jesus did and see immediate miraculous results, but do God’s answers ever look like I expect?

After years of thinking, “I just don’t have that gift,” I wonder if God has given me a version of the gift of healing that doesn’t look like I described above. Until I typed out the verse above, I had not noticed the gifts of healing and effecting of miracles were distinct phrases. I had associated only the miraculous with healing, not the seemingly mundane act of listening. By the Spirit, for the common good, I have been given the gift and ministry of listening. As with any manifestation of a spiritual gift, God is the one orchestrating the effect and all glory belongs to Him.

As I listen to people share their daily lives, I find God brings healing. In one class I took, the phrase, “We are wounded in relationships; we are healed through relationships” was frequently quoted. I pray that as I sit with others, they discover God’s presence in their life story. I want them to embrace and daily live in our Lord’s shalom. In fact, one meaning of shalom is to bring order from chaos, for light to penetrate darkness. Peace, healing and wholeness are all intertwined.

Healing takes place in the presence of Jesus, sometimes imperceptibly.