by Kiersten Mehl on August 14, 2021
One Body, Many Parts
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Pray
Heavenly Father, thank you for the gifts you have granted each person that work together to build your body and do your work. Thank you that you do not expect each one of us to be the same or for every person to have the skills necessary to meet every need in this world.
You know how much pain and suffering are in this world. You know how many people need to hear your gospel of love and redemption. You know how many people need your protection and your provision. You meet all of those needs through the service of all your people.
I know that you have given others different gifts and talents and passions than you have given to me because you have called them to serve a different purpose in this world than you have called me to serve. Help me to rejoice in the gifts you have given to others and not be jealous of those gifts or the specific ways you have called them. And, in contrast, help me to recognize the value of their gifts so that I may not become prideful in the gifts you have given me, thinking that my gifts could ever be better. Help me not to be judgmental, thinking that everyone should have the same set of gifts that I have been given.
May the gifts you have given to the people of my church be realized and developed so that our church body may come together to meet the needs of our community and share your gospel with the lost in our community. Let your presence be among our church so that we would work as your body in the way you have designed us: to give equal significance to all parts, to be united, to rejoice together, and to each do our part as we have been called. Continue to work in us to refine our roles in the body. Transform our hearts so we would each desire to be entrusted with the gifts of your Spirit. May the Spirit always be working through us, granting the power for our gifts to be effective.
I am one small part of your body. It is a tremendous honor to be given that small part. Help me to humbly accept any task you ask of me and to selflessly work with any other parts of the body to serve you and further your kingdom. All glory and honor are yours. Amen.
Listen, Reflect & Journal
What's on your to-do list today? Can you be intentional about using your gifts to serve others for God's kingdom through those tasks? Consider it, and be open to how God might lead you today!
Want to explore your spiritual gifts? Take the SHAPE Assessment.
