Gift projection is the idea that because we have a certain gift, strength, or ability, others should have it too. After all, when something works so well for us, it’s easy to judge those not using it as lacking.

This isn’t only a 21st Century challenge, the Apostle Paul counseled 1st Century Romans on the issue:

“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭4‬-‭6a‬ ‭NIVUK

In my enthusiasm to help people, I can project my gifts, strengths, and abilities onto others when encouraging them to solve their problems and move forward.

My thinking was, “It’s easy. Just do it like this.” What’s easy for me isn’t easy for others—because we all have different gifts. Instead of projecting my gifts onto others, I needed to activate their gifts.

Coaching drastically changed things for me. One of the basic practices of coaching is to “draw out” rather than “put in.” By asking questions, listening, and partnering to explore, coaches draw out from the coachee their reflections, strengths, insights, ideas, and resources. We draw out their “gifts” Paul wrote about, and activate them, encouraging them to put them into practice.

We need everyone’s gifts functioning at full capacity. A coaching approach is a great way to activate everyone’s gifts.

Growing up, yard work was a form of punishment, with weeding reserved for the worst offenses.

I’ve heard weeding used as an analogy for spiritual formation, but it didn’t resonate with me since I hate weeding.

Last weekend, I spent several hours battling a grove of weeds that sprouted in just two weeks.

I wondered who decided that this resilient plant should be called a weed. Why not embrace it as a tenacious and beautiful plant?! But isn’t that similar to redefining bad behavior as just fine, allowing me to indulge? Or redefining hard-to-reach goals to make them easier to reach?

Determined that these multiplying plants were indeed weeds and needed removal, I attacked, but the sheer number discouraged me. More weeds showed than dirt. Could I eliminate them all?

I moved to a thinner patch and began pulling. As the ground cleared, I continued toward an area of all weeds. Progress. I cleared another large patch and began a flanking maneuver, encircling the troublesome area. After a thorny battle, I declared victory. This experience made me think about how we gradually change our behavior, achieving small wins and building toward new habits.

Shocked by realizing I’d experienced spiritual formation through weeding, I prayed for even deeper insights as I went in the house to bake chocolate chip cookies.