Have you ever looked at another believer and secretly wished you had what they have?
Not in a jealous manner, of course.
You’re not alone. There are believers worldwide wishing they could perhaps
sing, preach or prophesy like others. What we don’t see, however, are the
sacrifices these people have made and continue to make to stay on top of their
game.
There’s nothing wrong, of course, in admiring the gift of God in others,
again, not in a jealous manner, especially if it’s the same area that God has
called you into. Apostle Paul in 1 Cor Chapter 14 encourages us to desire
spiritual gifts, particularly the gift of prophecy, so it’s okay to desire the gifts of the spirit. Still, it’s equally vital that we stay in our “lane” because we’re most effective in the place of our assignment. That’s where our gift will flourish.
Plus, our safety as believers is in staying within the confines of our call
because God isn’t obligated to protect or provide for us on an assignment that
He hadn’t sent or commissioned us.
Some gifts will be more widely publicised than others, no doubt. Still, it’s
worth remembering that we are not going to be rewarded on the “popularity”
of our spiritual gift but our faithfulness in what we were assigned, and according to the measure of the Master’s grace that had been apportioned to us.
So stay faithful in the place of your assignment and celebrate others along
the way. But most importantly, ask for help if you need to, especially in areas
where you are not as gifted. Sometimes we are reluctant to seek help from
others so as not to be seen as incompetent, but God wants us to work together,
which I believe is one of the reasons why He has distributed His gifts. No one has it all. We are
all members of the body of Christ, and we all have specific assignments. Romans
12: 4-5.
Each of us has one body with many parts. And the parts do not all have
the same purpose. 5 So also we are many persons. But in Christ, we are one
body. And each part of the body belongs to all the other parts. Romans 12:
4-5(NIV )
And if you are very “gifted”, don’t despise or look down on those
who aren’t as gifted as you are. Remember, the gifts of the Spirit are
instruments of service, not an indication of our spirituality or an endorsement
from God; they are given as God wills. He decides who gets what and when,
although it’s equally important that we live a holy life. See 1 Cor 12:4-11 for
the different gifts of the Spirit.
Of course, the gifts and calling of God are without repentance (Romans
11:29), meaning that God will not withdraw our call or gift. Still, He reserves
the right to void an assignment He’s given us if we “misbehave” to
protect the future and destinies that our actions will impact.
And that’s why we need to be good stewards of the grace of God because, for
every Saul, there’s a David. In other words, no one is indispensable in God’s
kingdom. So stay humble and let God walk in and through you to accomplish His
purpose.
There’s nothing wrong, of course, in admiring the gift of God in others,
again, not in a jealous manner, especially if it’s the same area that God has
called you into. Apostle Paul in 1 Cor Chapter 14 encourages us to desire
spiritual gifts, particularly the gift of prophecy, so it’s okay to desire the gifts of the spirit. Still, it’s equally vital that we stay in our “lane” because we’re most effective in the place of our assignment. That’s where our gift will flourish.
Plus, our safety as believers is in staying within the confines of our call
because God isn’t obligated to protect or provide for us on an assignment that
He hadn’t sent or commissioned us.
Some gifts will be more widely publicised than others, no doubt. Still, it’s
worth remembering that we are not going to be rewarded on the “popularity”
of our spiritual gift but our faithfulness in what we were assigned, and according to the measure of the Master’s grace that had been apportioned to us.
So stay faithful in the place of your assignment and celebrate others along
the way. But most importantly, ask for help if you need to, especially in areas
where you are not as gifted. Sometimes we are reluctant to seek help from
others so as not to be seen as incompetent, but God wants us to work together,
which I believe is one of the reasons why He has distributed His gifts. No one has it all. We are
all members of the body of Christ, and we all have specific assignments. Romans
12: 4-5.
Each of us has one body with many parts. And the parts do not all have
the same purpose. 5 So also we are many persons. But in Christ, we are one
body. And each part of the body belongs to all the other parts. Romans 12:
4-5(NIV )
And if you are very “gifted”, don’t despise or look down on those
who aren’t as gifted as you are. Remember, the gifts of the Spirit are
instruments of service, not an indication of our spirituality or an endorsement
from God; they are given as God wills. He decides who gets what and when,
although it’s equally important that we live a holy life. See 1 Cor 12:4-11 for
the different gifts of the Spirit.
Of course, the gifts and calling of God are without repentance (Romans
11:29), meaning that God will not withdraw our call or gift. Still, He reserves
the right to void an assignment He’s given us if we “misbehave” to
protect the future and destinies that our actions will impact.
And that’s why we need to be good stewards of the grace of God because, for
every Saul, there’s a David. In other words, no one is indispensable in God’s
kingdom. So stay humble and let God walk in and through you to accomplish His
purpose.