Having gifts that
differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if
prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the
one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his
exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who
leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Romans 12: 6-8 ESV
Paul speaks of a multitude
of gifts that exist within the body of Christ. It is not an all
inclusive list, but it covers a lot of gifts that many of us have to
some degree. Just look at the list and see if you fall under one of
those categories. If you do, are you using your gift to serve the
body?
I want to focus on one
particular gift that I believe is overlooked far too often, service.
Everyone of us within the body have been called to serve. Yet, this
isn't what many want to pursue. We have a tendency to look at some of
the more “glorious” gifts of teaching, giving and leading and we
covet them. We covet them as though we could serve Jesus and His body
better if those were our gifts.
When we do that, I think we
over look what was at the heart of Jesus ministry and what He wants
us to appreciate. When he had washed their feet and put on his
outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, "Do you
understand what I have done to you? If I then, your Lord and Teacher,
have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.
John 13:12, 14 ESV Jesus Himself set the example as one who serves
the needs of others. We are to follow in His steps.
Take another look at the
list of gifts, at the core of every gift is service. Service to the
body of Christ. Let's make up our minds today that we will serve the
body with whatever gifts we have been given. The one gift that we all
have, is the ability to serve. Find a place you can serve in the body
today and serve because He served.
© 2012 Leo J. Woodman
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