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SERVE WITH CONFIDENCE
And if the ear would say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not
belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of
the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing
be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of
smell be?.
For those of you who have
attended a workshop on spiritual gifts, this text is quite
familiar. It emphasizes that we all have varying gifts to be
discovered and used to serve God and one another. Many people
struggle with finding their gifts. They feel inadequate. They
feel only the ministers can share God's word with the
unbelievers or with those who have fallen away from God. Or when
asked to serve, they shy away and say they can't teach Sunday
school or serve on church council or sing in the choir or help
with Habitat for Humanity.
Of course, we are all better at some things than others. None of
us can do everything well, but if we search and pray to be shown
our gifts, we can serve with joy and confidence.
We are not all eyes or ears or mouths. Just as a human body
would not look right with four eyes, two mouths and no ears, and
would not function properly, the body of Christ does not look
right and does not function if people do not use the gifts they
have received from God.
Today, let us meditate on these words, and see how unique and
special each of us is. Because of our individual gifts, we are
able to serve God and all those he puts in our paths.
Jesus, help me to
discover and use my gifts from you to serve you and all of
humankind. You have given them to me and I am thankful. In your
name I pray. Amen.
Marsha Meili
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