5 In the same way, though there are many of us, we are one body in Christ, and individually we belong to each other. 6 We have different gifts that are consistent with God’s grace that has been given to us. If your gift is prophecy, you should prophesy in proportion to your faith. 7 If your gift is service, devote yourself to serving. If your gift is teaching, devote yourself to teaching. 8 If your gift is encouragement, devote yourself to encouraging. The one giving should do it with no strings attached. The leader should lead with passion. The one showing mercy should be cheerful.
9 Love should be shown without pretending. Hate evil, and hold on to what is good. 10 Love each other like the members of your family. Be the best at showing honor to each other.
Reflection
Mark Twain said, “Comparison is the death of joy” and nothing will kill your joy faster than scrolling through social media. It’s probably because we are comparing our worst moment, to someone else’s best moment, because in comparing ourselves to others we aren’t playing on a level field. While we want to be happy for our friend’s successes, we may inevitably feel a twinge of envy or jealously at the good fortune of others by comparing it to our own situation
from a place of mental scarcity, rather than a place of gratitude for what we have in life.
On social media everyone seems richer, thinner, healthier and happier, even when we know that’s not always true. Yet, we as a society, we’re steeped in a system of comparison and competition. Who doesn’t want to be the best, or associate with the best or most powerful? We rank nations, teams, academics, even restaurants- lauding the best and denigrating the worst- all based on our human need to be judge and jury. Our egos want us to be the best
and we all want to enjoy the best life has to offer, but often these pursuits leave us burnt
out and disillusioned or overwhelmed.
We all get overwhelmed by life. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned I don’t need to be the best in every area of my life, it’s just not sustainable and not what God intends for us. I’ve learned to listen and discern God’s call on my life to find ways for others to connect with God. I’ve learned to grow into my spiritual gifts of visioning, leading and encouraging, by participating in bible studies, being part of small group ministries, and taking certified lay servant classes. I’ve journeyed alongside mentors and new members of the church. When I first stepped into my spiritual gifts to follow Jesus, I didn’t know where it would take me, but I have found community, support, friendship and love in serving Christ.
Paul, the writer of Romans, was aware of our human need to compare, which is why he says we are “one body in Christ and individually we belong to each other.” All the parts work together using the different gifts God’s grace has given to each of us through the Spirit. God has given each of us the unique gifts such as of prophecy, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, or showing mercy, that all work together. For this reason we can’t brag about having
spiritual gifts or compare our gifts to each other, because these gifts are from God, not of our own doing. We are given these spiritual gifts to work together in the Kin-dom, loving others, serving others, to be the best at honoring and loving each other and each other’s spiritual gifts, as we make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
by Jeneene Reduker
For Pondering and Prayer
It’s freeing to know that God has created us, not for comparison, but for loving others and sharing the good news of Jesus. What comparisons are you making that you can let go of today? How can you use your spiritual gifts at church and in the world? Join a bible study, small group or ministry at church where you can grow into your spiritual gifts.
Prayer: Holy and Loving God, help us to stop comparing ourselves to others. Thank you for the grace of your spiritual gifts. Guide us to grow into your loving disciples as we follow Jesus. Amen.
