Details and Differences - Part 2

1 Corinthians 14:26

What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.

In our house, one little girl is “Picasso with a Pencil” (to quote the movie “The Odd Life of Timothy Green”), the next little girl always has a new made-up song to share and the other little girl can clean a room like it’s her J-O-B. Each girl is different, each one working (sometimes even together!) with the talents given them and revealing the heart, creativity and character of the One who created them.

We are all different because we represent a BIG God whose character can NOT be summed up in one person (maybe that’s why He himself is present in three persons – the Trinity). He makes us to work together so His fullness of grace and truth can be seen to all who dare to watch us. Do not be fooled, people will watch you once you claim to be a follower of Jesus; if for no other reason than to be there when you inevitably fall and call you a hypocrite…but I’m digressing with talk of the Trinity and supposed vs. true hypocrisy.

1 Corinthians 12:3-5 tells us that we have different gifts but the same spirit is the source of them all. As I said in the last post, I have found myself jealous of the gifts (material, physical or  spiritual) of others and wondering what my “gifts” are or how they can possibly be of any “real” help to anyone. I discovered once through a spiritual gift inventory and related book study (The 3 Colors of Ministry by Christian A. Schwarz) that I have the gift of wisdom. Here was my gut reaction with God later, ”that’s crap God, you can’t “see” or “do” wisdom.” I felt that if you could not video record the gift being done then it was not a legit talent! However, I decided that I would follow God and discover what this “gift” was all about. I began studying God's idea, use and description of wisdom. While I have NOT discovered what it is all about, I have discovered some ways it is beneficial to me, my family, the church body and beyond. As a side note: wisdom is defined by this study as: helping others apply existing knowledge to specific situations. I also scored high on the counseling gift…I was about to graduate with a counseling degree…and I was whining for having the gift of “helping others apply existing knowledge to specific situations.” God continues to astound me with His patience and love toward me.

Christ and His glory are the reality of our gifts and their use. He has given you and I a purpose and made us very specifically and wonderfully to fulfill His good and reveal His heart to the world. We as Christians, have the power and privilege to encourage and support our brothers and sisters in whatever minute detail and difference they bring to a task – some will encourage and teach, some will create magnificent works of art, others will sing wonderful songs, while some will organize and make the work space ready for use…all will glorify God.

So next time you (and I) are at church, working on a project or ministry team: Let’s not be bogged down with jealousy, pride or frustration when our brothers and sisters (regardless of the denomination) truly express God with their gifts…let’s, with a thankful heart, find out how we can serve and work alongside with how God has created us; knowing that when we all work together, people are fed, clothed, served, helped, encouraged, cleaned, healed and loved everywhere by God.

Ephesians 2:10 

For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Mark 9:38-41 

John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn't in our group." "Don't stop him!" Jesus said, "No one who performs a miracle in my name will soon be able to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us. If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded.

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