Wix pros:

Makes it easy to build a great website—including a blog

Simpler to use than WordPress

Wix cons:

Expensive compared to the other options

Most website builders make for a pretty poor blogging experience. They either tuck the blog tools away in some weird subsection, are just awful to use, or both. Wix is the exception. Not only is it easy to build a website with it, but setting up a blog—and most importantly, posting to your blog—is just as simple. 

When you start a site with Wix, you're asked to describe what you're trying to build. If you use the word "blog," it will literally add a blog. Then, in the Dashboard, you have a Blog section in the sidebar where you can write new posts, configure categories, and generally do bloggy things. It just works—and you can even import your old posts from WordPress. 

Really, Wix is a great option for two kinds of people: those that want an even easier WordPress alternative, and those that want to build a full website where a blog is just one part of things. 

WordPress has its quirks, and if you aren't tech-savvy, it can be tricky to get things set up exactly how you want. Wix's website builder is a lot easier to configure than installing WordPress themes and plugins. The catch is that you can get a WordPress blog set up with a custom domain for a couple of dollars a month; for similar features, you're looking at least at Wix's $16/month Light plan. If you're running a business, that might not be a big deal, but if you're starting a personal blog, the price can add up. 

Similarly, while millions of people have built full websites using WordPress, Wix makes it simpler. If you want an online store, web bookings, or even just a big website, Wix's easier-to-use tools may make for a more pleasant experience—especially if you're looking at paying for managed WordPress hosting anyway. And Wix integrates with Zapier, so if you decide to build out your website, you'll be able to connect it to the other apps you use most.

Wix price: Free plan available; paid plans start at $16/month.

https://chat.openai.com/c/97e9123f-c604-4867-9c2e-87719750f66a

It is not unique to Christianity to talk about the ways in which we are wired. Whether we are talking about our innate personality, our cultivated talents, or our developing passions, we all are interested in seeing how we can make a difference in the world.

“God never wastes anything. He would not give you abilities, interests, talents, gifts, personality, and life experiences unless he intended to use them for his glory.” – Rick Warren

Yet there is a difference between all of those things and the ways in which we are spiritually gifted.

You are not just talented, you are spiritually gifted. Gifted by the capital “S” Spirit.

Look at what Paul says.

Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed… 4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, r and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. (1 Corinthians 12:1, 4-11, NIV)

 

We are not talking about “spiritual” as some nebulous, impersonal energy. Rather, spiritual gifts come exclusively from the Holy Spirit. He is the source and sustenance of spiritual gifts. Having the Holy Spirit is a necessary prerequisite to unleashing our spiritual gifts.

Each of us is purposed to make a contribution in this life that echoes into eternity. This means that we each have an assignment, and we each need to see and accept that assignment if we are going to fulfill the calling of our lives. You and I can talk circles around purpose all day, but at the end of the day there is something crucial to understand.

We are united in purpose and unique in calling.

There is unity in our singular purpose to glorify God and enjoy him forever (shoutout to the credible Westminster Catechism). We are teammates, working together to enact God’s plan of redemption in the world. Yet, we are unique in our calling. Our calling is the unique way in which God has wired us, equipped us, and assigned us to contribute to and advance his kingdom. This is not limited to our spiritual gifts, but it certainly includes them! And even in 1 Corinthians 12, Paul is not exhausting all the spiritual gifts, but using a few as an example to serve his point about how the body of Christ (you, me, we) works together.

“For those who lead and have a tendency toward pride and self-sufficiency, it may be humbling to know that God wants them to depend on and be built up by others with different gifts. For others, though, this will mean accepting what God has given them and then living and working in the community for the benefit of the body, knowing that this is their God-given and Spirit-enabled duty to the body. Just as there is no place for pride, so there is no place for false humility.” (Paul Gardner, 1 Corinthians, Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, 554.)

Our spiritual gifts are an essential part of our contribution to the kingdom of God. They are one of the primary ways the gospel works itself in our lives as we serve others. But how can we walk in them if we are not aware of them?

We need to know our Holy Spirit-given gifts if we want to walk in our full purpose and potential.

Here are four action steps to take from here.

• First, take our spiritual gifts test by clicking HERE. It is not infallible, but it is a good tool to help you consider how God’s empowering presence (Holy Spirit) wants to work in and through you.
• Second, talk to some other Christians who you respect and who know you well. Ask them what spiritual gifts they see in you. Do not underestimate how someone else can see in you what you might not see in yourself!
• Third, study biblical passages on these things. You may have noticed we did not unpack the spiritual gifts in this blog post. It would take quite some time to do so! Plus, let’s give you some homework and ownership here. Pick up some commentaries on 1 Corinthians and read how scholars shed light on what Paul is saying about spiritual gifts (especially 1 Corinthians 12-14). The Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on 1 Corinthians is phenomenal, though at times it can be geared toward an academic audience. If you need a more lay-level commentary try the NIV Application Commentary on 1 Corinthians or 1 Corinthians For You.
• Fourth, but not least, put your spiritual gifts into practice!

The Holy Spirit does not give you these gifts for them to be like a trophy on a shelf. They are meant to be used for the sake of others!

As we read what Paul said:

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:7, NIV)

You want to make a difference in the world, right? Learn and use your spiritual gifts!