Week 2 - Love Others - Day 8 - Wednesday

Written by Debbie Phares
As we watch TV, we see commercials flash across the screen that encourage us to “be an individual.” Stores have signs that implore you to “express yourself.” Magazines give you tips on how to find your “personal style.” Many options are offered to us to create our individuality: clothes, hair color, make-up, music, the list goes on. In our culture we elevate the idea of individuality to the point where we think that it is an end in and of itself. The more unique and different you are, the better. Individuality is the goal.

In the body of Christ, individuality is a means to an end. Individuality, in the form of different gifts and abilities, is the tool that God gives us to serve each other, work together and accomplish His purposes. Uniqueness is not something to be gained or worked towards. It is inherent in each person, a gift of God’s Spirit. You are already an individual, completely unique. In addition, when you became a follower of Jesus, His Spirit blessed you with special gifts. The task is not to make yourself into an individual, but to discover what kind of an individual God has already made you to be—and celebrate that for God’s purposes.

In the bible, Paul lists gifts like leadership, service, administration, discernment, tongues, faith and healing. I believe that God’s Spirit still gives all of these gifts and that they are operating in the church today. However, I don’t think that this list is comprehensive. I’ve seen other kinds of gifts at work within the church body. When I look around our church, I see gifts of honesty, humor, adventure, inclusion, and many more. These are unique abilities that different people have that build up our church body and, without which, we would not be the same.

When the members of the body of Christ know and use their gifts, the result is a unity that is born out of interdependence. Unity does not mean that we all have the same point of view, but that we value the importance of each other. Same Spirit, same purpose, different gifts—we need each other.

Scripture:
• Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-12

Reflection:
• What gifts do you see at work in the community at SCC? If you were to name what gifts you think you have, what would they be?

Practice:
• Make a list of 5 people in whom you see God’s Spirit actively moving through the use of their unique gifts. Find some way to recognize what God is doing through them—make some phone calls, write some notes, or just give them a hug and a compliment on Sunday.