I Chronicles 23:32
“So they are to perform the duties of the tent of meeting, the holy place, and of assisting the sons of Aaron their relatives, for the service of the house of the LORD.”
This reminds me of the local church. There is much done and many people behind the scenes who pull off a service. Most are invisible to us. We see those up front, but miss the dozens who do big and small things.
We are the body of Christ and we all have particular gifts that function according to the Lord’s design. In my early years in the faith, I taught bible studies and led youth groups. That was good. I stayed on that trajectory and wanted to be a pastor. However, I didn’t have the gifts or make up for it. It could have worked, but would have been exhausting. It’s like using a butter knife as a screwdriver. It can work, but very inefficient and would receive some damage. It wasn’t my gift to be up front.
In my forties I started to do counseling at church. That was much more in line with my gifting. It was one to one. I can talk easily with that ratio. Add one other person and my anxiety rises. That’s ok, it just not for me.
When I was doing the counseling my supervisor said that I was gentle with people. Why did it take nearly fifty years for me to realize that. I had never heard that. That’s a trait of a counselor. God uses me in one to one conversations. I’m also more of a listener. With most I’m a listener. Most like to be heard.
Romans 12:6 says, “We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith.” As we grow in Christ, He uses us. Some are are aware their gifts from an early age some aren’t. We learn by the successes. Where there is fruit is where the gifts lie.
With some influences in my youth, I gained much empathy. I could have gotten bitter and probably was. But God used that to help me feel for some. He used that hurt to help the hurting. In time He made it beautiful.
In Jesus’ parable of the talents He shows how some have one gift and others have several. That’s ok. He provides the make up of the individual to handle it and to be content with it. There could be jealousy, but there shouldn’t be. I can recall two friends who are quite gifted sharing their very busy schedule. I thought to myself, I’m glad I’m not gifted. I’m happy with my level. They are happy with theirs. God is good.
The problem is if it’s not used. Again back to the parable of the talents. The one who didn’t use his was punished. This happens on several levels. When we don’t use our gifts, we are being selfish. There is a self imposed punishment. Proverbs 14:14a says, “The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways”. He is filled with discontentment and many cravings. It’s paradoxical. If we focus on ourselves we don’t get happier. Jesus said in Matthew 16:25, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” Give up your life to God and you will never be so happy. Serve others and be generous is God’s way.
Thank You Lord for Your ways. Thank You Lord for Your method of giving and serving. It’s a blessing. Great things are accomplished by Your church.