Name a place you can sit where everyone there is exactly like you. We come close at the family table, but even there, no one is exactly like you. Yet, it is not that we are exactly alike that we were drawn or made into that family. Think of Communion Sunday and the Table of The Lord. Who kneeling alongside you as you receive or as you pray after receiving the Lord's Body is exactly like you? Paul is stressing that once we were brought into the Body of Christ, it was the work of the Holy Spirit. It is the same Holy Spirit that allows us to proclaim or live out the message, "Jesus is Lord." How we serve God varies from person to person, even from preacher to preacher, yet, it is the same Lord. God has given to all of us according to our needs, that which best serves God; all serving God for the good of everyone else. Some receive from God the gift of sharing wisdom. Some have the gift of sharing knowledge. Another has the gift of a strong faith. And some have the gifts of healing. Some can even work unexplainable things we call miracles, some can share God's word on coming events, some have the gift of knowing what spirits are at work near us; some have the gift of uttering God's good works through other languages, we call tongues. Each a gift from God. Each part of the work of the Body of Christ. Not one is considered better or more useful than the other. All should be working, not just resting on what someone else has done for the good of God's work.
The Church is made up of these brothers and sisters and each should be used for the good of the needed work among us. We have those who can share with those who just came into faith. We have those who have the gifts to lead and build up. We have those who can make worship real and meaningful. All of the gifts given for a purpose; to grow the presence of God in our churches and in our communities.
What is your gift? What is your role in sharing your gift with the work of God where you are? If you are unsure talk to someone, but first talk to God. Pray about what God has asked of you and gifted you to do. Then set out with a plan of action to grow personally, spiritually and to help your church or ministry grow. Never reach a point of contentment or comfort where you believe everything has been done and all have been reached or served. Every Communion Sunday since I learned from a fellow pastor in one of the communities where we served together I have asked, "Has everyone been served?" At first the church looked around and some nodded yes and some vocally said, "Yes!" I said, "No. Look around at the places where some are not yet sitting. There are still many who have not yet heard, not yet been invited, not yet received and believed. Everyone has not been served."
Serve the Lord by serving someone new.
PRAYER: Loving God as we prepare for worship, help us to be at work. Never let me reach the point of being satisfied with what I have already done; challenge me to do more. It is urgent that we reach and serve all. It is not easy, but it is that to which we have been called. Grant me strength and peace; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
