“There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good… All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
“For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, 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 be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? There are many parts, yet one body…
“But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-7,11-15,17-20, 24b-28
God is a master planner and builder. He knows what is needed for every family, church, task, and season. His plans for us are good and His ways are good. When we acknowledge our and others’ gifting, accept the measure and assignment appointed to each, and trust His arrangement in the body, we can contribute within His framework toward exciting, lasting work. (Psalm 119:68; Jeremiah 29:11; Ephesians 4:11-16)
Why doesn’t he get it? Why does she act that way? Why don’t they think like I do? The questions we ask in conflict or misunderstand betray a shallow grasp of the Church as a whole. The Creator of the individual is also the Composer of the Body. He crafts with exquisite expertise and wisdom, building His church so it can function with health and fruitfulness.
Do I get frustrated at another’s ignorance or inability to see my way? Am I prone to impatience and criticism with those on my team and lose sight of the One whom we serve? Where am I provincial in my thinking, my loving, allowing favoritism or preference to determine my interest in and care of others in the Body? How honest am I in admitting weaknesses so I can grow, and how can I encourage the needed strengths of others? If we all focus on common goals and submit to God’s ordering, we can together accomplish much. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
Lord, help me employ Your grace-apportioned gifts gratefully, humbly, and zealously toward Your ends and glory. (Romans 12:3)
As the rain and snow 