One Gift Does Not Fit All

June 11, 2009

~Denise Grant

 

“If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” Romans 12: 7-8

 

Something To Think About:

 

~What are different ways you have discovered who you are and who you are meant to be at this point in your life?

~Do you feel you are accomplishing specifically what God has set forth for you to do?

~Answer this question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

 

     God generously gives gifts to us all, however, one gift doesn’t fit all in life – it’s your position to discover what God’s gift is for you – then use it for Him and to His glory.

 

     One of the churches that St. Paul founded, the church at Corinth, proved to be a particularly troublesome burden on his heart. Although smart and sophisticated, they had lots of problems, most notably a spirit of divisiveness. “We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored!” 1 Corinthians 4:10

 

They argued over who the best leader was: “What I mean is this: One of you says, ‘I follow Paul’; another, ‘I follow Apollos’; another, ‘I follow Cephas’; still another, ‘I follow Christ.’”.  1 Corinthians 1:12

 

They argued over who was most spiritual: “You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?” 1 Corinthians 3:3

 

They argued over what the most important gifts were. “…All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.” 1 Corinthians 12

 

They argued about the role of women in church services: “…women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says.”1 Corinthians 14:34

 

They even argued over whether Paul was worthy of respect: “For some say, ‘His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.’” 2 Corinthians 10:10

 

     Paul scolded, shamed, and even begged them to be united in love. “I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.” 1 Corinthians 1:10.  May we learn of God’s plan for us, in what Paul reminds the Corinthians:  

 

Each of us have unique gifts: “In the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.”

1 Corinthians 12:28.

Everyone’s gifts are needed to complete the body of Christ: “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.” 1 Corinthians 12:12.

We aren’t to compare the value of our gifts: “If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?” 1 Corinthians 12:17.

We aren’t united because we are just like each other, but because we love each other: “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.”1 Corinthians 13:1.

 

     The good news for you is that God has made you one-of-a-kind unique – just like He has everyone else. Your mission is not to be like others, but to discover and fulfill God’s gifts for you and encourage others to find and fulfill theirs.

 

     Have you been missing out on God’s best for you by trying to please everyone else?  If so, know that you can’t live in a constant state of self-examination, but at times, you just need to step back from your own life to see if you’re running on course. Ask yourself whether you are “not fulfilled at all” or “highly fulfilled” in the following areas; work, friendships; family life, church and in your relationship with God. What are your strength areas? And what areas do you need to work on?

God Will…

Enlighten you: “You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light.” 2 Samuel 22:29

Show you the way you should go: “This is what the Lord says – your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; ‘I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” Isaiah 48:17

Speak your name: “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me – just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15.

Show you new truths: “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” John 16:13

Bless your perseverance: “These have come so that your faith – of greater worth that gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:7

 

“God possesses infinite knowledge and an awareness which is uniquely His. At all times…I can realize that He knows, loves, watches, understands and more than that, He has a purpose.” ~Billy Graham

Dear Heavenly Father,

 

     I pray that today You would show me if I’m off track, and show me how to get where I need to be in my right relationship with You. Show me how to best fulfill the gifts You have given to me. I want to use them to Your service always.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Denise Grant - Just "clay" in the Master Potter's hands.

 

May we as Christ-believers bear more fruit of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control. (Galatians 5:22)