
All believers have different gifts. Some are called to preach or teach whereas others have the gift of a servant’s heart and still others a gift for music. You might think your gift is small or insignificant, but it can make a huge impact on someone’s life. Once you accept Jesus into your life, you become a part of the Church (not a physical building but the Church—Christ’s Church), the body of Christ. Everyone has a job to do, and God can take gifts you previously didn’t use for His purpose and use them for His intended purpose. For instance, if you’re a writer or a speaker, He can use your gifts to get His message out. If you have a gift for cooking, He can use your cooking as a way to serve others and feed the poor and hungry. There’s no job too big or too small. It’s all important to God. You are important to Him, and you have a role to play. When you submit your will to God’s will, you’ll truly be able to fly and experience the fullness of joy He has meant for you.
JANUARY 31, 2021 SUNDAY
The flying trapeze is one of the most thrilling acts at the circus. With faces turned skyward, we watch with a sense of awe as fliers somersault, twist, and glide across the arena into the arms of a catcher, then return to their perch in triumph.
What we don’t see are the hours of grueling practice. Trapeze artists need to build trust with one another, if they ever want to move together with grace and beauty. It is only through mutual submission that they are free to attain something greater than they ever could alone.
Believers can experience a similar joy. Paul emphasized the importance of differences and gifts, describing us this way in 1 Corinthians 12:19-20: “If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body.” Yes, we are each uniquely designed. Yet in Christ, we discover our fullest, truest selves by working together as one, surrendering ourselves to each other in love.
Think about it
• Describe the joy that comes with being part of Christ’s body. If you haven’t experienced it, how might you pursue it?
• To what specific task in the body are you called? How can you exercise your gift more fully at church, home, or work?
Daily Devotions