Details and Differences – Part 1

1 Corinthians 3:5-9 (NLT) After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God's servant through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It's not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What's important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God's workers. And you are God's field. You are God's building.

I was cleaning up after lunch one day this week and wondering if my house was “clean” enough…if my counter was “nice” enough…enough for what? For whom? I don’t know…it’s just where my thoughts were going…you know the place of comparison and jealousy.  However, this time, instead of following the bunny trail to a place of discontent, this thought rushed in…are my children fed? Are they fulfilled in ways that God wants, does my home meet our needs? Yes, to all these answers and then some – we are blessed beyond what we deserve and need. We have warmth and food and comfort in all seasons.

This thinking then had me thinking of how we compare not just our material gifts but also our spiritual and physical gifts and talents. We look at what others can do and think, "I wish I could do that." Or we look at what others "aren't" doing and think, "why can't they be more like me and do things how I do them?" When, the thought could be, "I am so glad they can do that or think that way because then I am free to serve in the ways God has made me." 2 Corinthians 10: 15-18 (NLT) "Nor do we boast and claim credit for the work someone else has done. Instead, we hope that your faith will grow so that the boundaries of our work among you will be extended. Then we will be able to go and preach the Good News in other places far beyond you, where no one else is working. Then there will be no question of our boasting about work done in someone else's territory. As the Scriptures say, "if you want to boast, boast only about the Lord." When people commend themselves, it doesn't count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them."

We differ to represent the whole character and spectrum of God…all working for one cause. Are you serving God? Then “the how” will differ in how we clean, live, work and play…so that all people, in all areas and situations will be served by God.

God is giving me much more to say but I want these entries to stay somewhat short to respect your time as well…part 2 will be coming next week – let me know your thoughts thus far