God-Given Gifts
Someone that I thought the world of growing up once said the problem he saw in churches was that there were far too many big egos competing in the church. This comes from wisdom gained by listening much and talking little. This man always had a smile on his face. He knew his God-given gift and practiced it weekly in his church despite what went on around him.
In the Bible, we find Paul discussing in several books the importance of unity among Christians, not competition. He says that we should be as concerned about others as we are about ourselves. Paul goes as far as saying that he wished he could be cut off from Christ for the sake of his brethren.
Wow! Think about that. Paul was willing to be separated from Christ for eternity if it meant others might know Christ. How many of us can and would say that today? Paul was willing to lay down his life if it meant someone else might get to spend eternity with Christ. How much greater Paul’s faith is than my faith?
Paul had the gift of winning souls to Christ. We all have gifts, too. Paul talks about spiritual gifts in one of his writings. He stresses that one gift is as important as another. In light of this, no one should think their gift is greater than or less than someone else’s gift. Each gift is important and each gift helps bring unity and survival to local churches.
When the focus is on everyone, and not specifically one, the church grows because everyone realizes that they are somebody and that everyone else present is somebody, too.
Of course, being somebody is only possible when you are somebody in Christ. Christ enables you to see others as important as yourself. Christ enables you to love others as much as you love yourself. Christ enables you to work towards being united, not divided. Christ enables you to work towards loving the unlovable.
Last week, my wife and I had the opportunity to spend the week doing absolutely nothing. When I say nothing, I mean nothing. For six days, we did nothing but eat, read, and sleep. It was the first time she and I both remember stopping and doing nothing for a week.
Our lives are like so many other lives—busy. To stop, rest, and relax was a real blessing. It would not have been possible if I didn’t have an aunt and a cousin who loved us and practiced their gifts of hospitality.
Because of their hospitality we were able to read more in God’s word than usual. We were able to enjoy listening and watching nature more than usual. Of course, we were rejuvenated for the weeks ahead. If they had not used their God-given gifts, we would not have been able to have a real, relaxing week.
How can you help someone this week? How can you help rejuvenate a soul? Pray about your God-given gift and use it to the glory of God in the local church and in the world to make life a little better for someone else today.