The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. [1 Corinthians 12:21-22 (NLT)]
Spiritual gifts build God’s Kingdom in a variety of ways including teaching, outreach, speaking, counseling, discipleship, serving, practical assistance, visitation, and prayer. Our gifts were given for the common good of Christ’s church and we need one another’s gifts for the body of Christ to function. Within the church, some gifts, like shepherding, evangelism, or leadership, are easily noticed while others, such as mercy, giving, intercession, and faith may be less obvious. While those gifted in service (the ability to see undone tasks in God’s work and get them done) often work behind the scene, the people gifted in hospitality (the ability to warmly welcome all people into home or church) are front and center Sunday mornings as they greet people by name and extend the hand of friendship to visitors.
Nevertheless, no gift is more important than another and every one of the Spirit’s gifts are essential for Kingdom building! For example, those gifted in pastoring (spiritually caring for, guiding, protecting, and feeding a group of believers) frequently need those gifted in administration (the ability to steer people toward God-given goals by planning, organizing, and supervising) to help them achieve their objective. We all are members of the body of Christ and, as Paul aptly pointed out, all parts of the body, whether seen or hidden, are needed for it to operate effectively!
Since every gift is God-designed for each one of His children, there probably are as many gifts as there are people and needs in the body of Christ. Moreover, because He’s not a miser, God may bless us with more than one gift and the lines often blur between one gift and another. The person gifted with knowledge (the desire to know as much as possible about the Bible) also may be gifted in teaching (the ability to instruct others for true understanding and growth). On the other hand, that gift of knowledge could be combined with the gift of wisdom so the person not only knows what God’s word says but also sees its application and relevance to real life situations.
Just because we’re not gifted in something, however, is never an excuse for not obeying God’s general commands. Not being gifted with evangelism doesn’t mean we’re not called to share the Word or invite someone to church. Not receiving the gift of giving does not relieve us from the responsibility of supporting the church and not being gifted with hospitality doesn’t mean we don’t welcome visitors. While we may not be gifted with intercession, we still pray for one another and, while we may not be gifted with mercy, we still look to the needs of others! In fact, it often is by doing God’s work that we discover what our gifts are.
Our spiritual gifts were not given for your own benefit but for the benefit of others, just as other people were given gifts for your benefit. … If others don’t use their gifts, you get cheated, and if you don’t use your gifts, they get cheated. [Rick Warren]
Jesus promised the disciples, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.” [John 14:16-17] In fulfillment of that promise, the moment we accept Christ as our Savior, the Holy Spirit moves into our hearts. When He arrives, He helps us but, rather than making the bed or washing dishes, the Spirit comforts, counsels, and convicts us. He gives us the power to share His word, the strength to do His work, and confidence in the fullness of God’s promises.
Jesus told several parables regarding the day of His return. The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids stresses being ready before that day occurs and the Parable of the Sheep and Goats describes the separation of obedient followers from unbelievers and pretenders in the final judgment. It is between those two that we find the Parable of the Talents about serving our Master until the day of His return.
The patient Cormorant had been diving and resurfacing empty-beaked for several minutes before finally emerging victorious with a large fish crosswise in its beak. The fish thrashed in the cormorant’s beak while the bird tried to re-position its meal so it could be swallowed head first. A Brown Pelican suddenly crashed into the water and, after a great deal of wing flapping and water splashing, it was clear the Cormorant was no match for the larger bird. While the Pelican threw back its head and swallowed the unlucky fish, the unfortunate cormorant swam away still hungry.
A century of dike-building, agricultural development, and population growth has destroyed much of Florida’s wetlands and threatened the survival of dozens of animals like Florida panthers, Snail Kites, and Wood Storks. The White Ibis, however, is an exception. Having adapted to the new urban landscape, large groups of ibis happily graze the lawns of subdivisions, parks, and golf courses. They’ve found it easier to poke at the soil for a predictable buffet of grubs, earthworms, and insects than to forage in the remaining wetlands for aquatic prey like small fish, frogs, and crayfish. Once wary of humans, these urbanized ibis pay little or no attention to people as they follow one another across our lawns.
I read a devotion that suggested substituting our own personal anxieties and concerns for the troubles listed by Paul in Romans 8. Perhaps your version would read: “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate me from God’s love. Neither old age nor loss of loved ones, neither cancer nor dementia, neither my anxiety about my wayward child nor my reservations about finances—not even the powers of terrorism and hate can separate me from God’s love. No hurricanes, earthquakes, pandemics, or wars—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate me from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Devotions of the Heart 