Uniquely Gifted

Uniquely Gifted (I Corinthians 12:14-15)

I Corinthians 12:14-15, “For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?”

If you were a foot in the body of Christ, you might have times when you’d find yourself thinking, “If only I were a hand. Here I am, far away from the top, just standing around all the time, tapping myself. I hate being a foot; I want to be a hand. Feet get all the lame jobs; hands get to do the cool stuff.” Though you might feel like that, the fact is, feet are important. When the body of Christ has to take a stand, we need feet. When we are called to travel somewhere, our feet carry us. When we need a good wake-up kick, we rely on our feet. The body needs every part. The foot may envy the hand, and the ear may envy the eye (I Corinthians 12:16), but each is essential.

Have you ever felt that your role is not significant? Perhaps you can’t see where you fit, or doubt that your part matters, or whether you even have a part. Do not let your feelings dictate your reality. Even if you feel like you don’t have a part, you do. Even if you can’t see your place, it’s there. You matter to God and to His church. You have a place and what you do is greatly needed. If Christians, through our own human failings, have made it difficult for you to find your place, don’t stop looking. Try again—the church needs you. If we were all eyes, our body couldn’t hear. If we were all hands, our body couldn’t walk. “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.” If you hate your gift, or wish you had a different one, you’ll have to take that up with God. But you need to realize that is a conversation not likely to end in a gift exchange. After you talk to the Lord about it, embrace your gift, whatever it is, with your whole heart. Because “God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him”, we know there’s no mistake or shipping error. You are perfectly suited for the tasks God wants you to do, and using your gift is your responsibility.

Every believer who truly belongs to the body of Christ, the church, is significant and important to God and has a gift and function in the body. Each member is necessary. The foot may not be as gifted as the hand in handling things, but the foot is still part of the body. The ear may not be able to envision things like the eye can, but the ear is still part of the body. Each member has an essential function. The eye, the ear, and the nose—they all have their function. None can do the function of the other. Each member has its function, and no other member can do the function of the other member. If the whole body were only an eye, it would be unfunctional, and useless. The body of Christ, the church, can operate only if enough members function as they are gifted to do. The body, the church, becomes handicapped if some members do not function and do the work they are gifted to do. The ability of the body to operate is determined by the number and efficiency of its members. The more the members of the body function, and function efficiently, the more the it can do. Each member is set "in the body" as God wills. God has set "every one" of us in the church, and He has gifted us for an essential function. And note: what we are called and gifted to do is God's will. We are who we are and have the gifts we have because God willed us to be as we are. Each member is distinct, but together there is only one body. If only one member existed, where would the body be? Of course, there would be no body. So it is with the church. If there were only one member in the church, they would be significant, the most important person around. The church is many members—all significant and important. Regardless of how diversified the church is, it is still one body.

Your gift is a combination of several different strengths uniquely combined by God and tailored to the tasks He wants you to accomplish. You might have a dab of mercy, mixed with a dose of exhortation, plus a dollop of creativity. As you discern and discover your spiritual gift, the best way to confirm it is to roll up your sleeves and serve. You must intentionally pursue your place in the body of Christ. Eventually, you will find how He has gifted you and what you’re good at. Every part matters! And when you find your place and begin serving His church, you will discover great joy.

Points to Ponder:
Every believer needs to thank God for who he is and for his gift.
Every believer needs to use his gifts with all diligence and fervency.

Questions to Consider:
What is your spiritual gift?
If you don't know, how will you find out?
How are you currently investing your gift in the kingdom?

Prayer, Father, I want to discover my gift, find my place in kingdom work, and use my gift for Your glory. Renew my desire to serve You, God. Help me to let go of past disappointments, and forgive me for envying others’ gifts. I believe I am Your workmanship, uniquely gifted for the good works You prepared in advance for me to do. I seek not my own glory but Yours alone, Lord. In the matchless name of Your Son, Jesus, I pray, Amen.

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