Devotional of the week: Many gifts; one body (6 in 1 Peter 4 series)

Photo: Jean-Etienne Liotard: The Chocolate Pot

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others… 1 Peter 4:10

When I think of servants, a couple of people spring to mind immediately. They don’t know each other – they are separated by an ocean – but are kindred spirits. Both love to serve in the background in churches where I’ve been a member; whether it’s making the tea or setting up chairs, they find meaning and joy in tasks that some might see as mundane. The world is richer for them.

Other people like to serve through leading, through seeing and sparking to life the God-given potential in another. They often bring together disparate groups of people to build a cohesive team. Others have the gift of empathy, reaching out to those who are hurting with what seems an innate sense. We see Paul’s list of gifts in 1 Corinthians 12, where he names some as teachers, some as prophets, some as helpers. All are different, and all are needed in the body of Christ.

Do you know what your gifts are? Maybe you’re seeing yourself through old lenses, with new gifts having been developed or wanting to emerge. Have you buried a desire, but the Lord might want to encourage you in it? Spend some time being quiet before the Lord, and see how he leads. This could be the start of a new period of fruitfulness.

Prayer: Lord God, help me serve with the gifts you’ve given. Give me eyes to see and a heart to love. Amen.