Daily Worship

Certain things to specific people

Fiona Reynolds January 22, 2019 0 0
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Image credit: Pixabay

1 Corinthians 12: 4-11

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.

It is true that no one person can be “all things to all people”. It is impossible. We all need the skills and expertise of different people at different times in our lives. Yet, churches can be guilty of trying to operate as though they are the exception. Individual members try to do everything; local churches often spread themselves too thin. God invites us to discern and embrace our own calling, and encourage others to do the same.

 

Generous God,

May we be open to receiving your gifts,

given uniquely to us,

but not solely for our benefit;

May we be open to sharing our gifts,

given for the common good

by the one Spirit, the one Lord;

May we be open to benefitting from your gifts

given to those around us

that we might be blessed by you;

May we be open

Today

and every day, AMEN.