Over the next several weeks, we will be sharing devotions based on the United Methodist membership vows, where we pledge to support the church with our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. This week’s focus is GIFTS.
Brothers and sisters, I don’t want you to be ignorant about spiritual gifts. 2 You know that when you were Gentiles you were often misled by false gods that can’t even speak. 3 So I want to make it clear to you that no one says, “Jesus is cursed!” when speaking by God’s Spirit, and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are different spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; 5 and there are different ministries and the same Lord; 6 and there are different activities but the same God who produces all of them in everyone.
Reflection
I have truly wonderful friends, the best friends anyone could ever ask for. Many of them are clergy or closely connected to the church yet they are all so different. Surprise, surprise, three days back from my vacation and what am I writing about today? My wedding! It’s still very much on the brain!
In the planning process, I prided myself on my organizational skills and my vision. I would set up different rooms of the house for my many (many) DIY projects. But there were many things I just couldn’t do on my own (trust me, I tried).
My friends literally set up a ZOOM meeting to discuss how to best assist me in setting up the wedding. They had me make a list of things that needed to get done and they were each very clear about saying, “I’m good at that, I’ll do that. I’m not good at that, I shouldn’t do that.” It was music to my organizationally-obsessed mind! They called themselves “The Gal Pal Team” and I can honestly say that the day wouldn’t have come together without them. We finished setting up hours early!
This is all to say that their own self-awareness of each of their strengths and weaknesses was vital. There was one goal, but different gifts. One knew that she would be good at being “host” for the reception. Another knew she was very handy. Another had tons of experience properly setting up tables with perfectly ironed tablecloths. Different gifts, one goal.
In today’s text from Paul to the people of Corinth, we can piece together the problem that his letter must have been addressing – people thinking that needed to be good at certain things to do God’s work. People thinking their gifts were more or less important than others. People working towards different missions. As we spend this week looking at the pledge members of the church make to offer their gifts to the mission of the church, we can start by looking at the opening of Paul’s letter and recognizing the importance of diverse gifts and one mission.
by Rachel Callender
For Pondering & Prayer
Have you ever thought about your spiritual gifts? They can be ANYTHING – don’t limit yourself! Take out a paper and pen, and name five gifts you have that can be used towards the work of God. Yes, leadership and preaching and music are great, but so are faithfulness and resilience and optimism.
Prayer: God of many gifts, You have delicately sewn into each one of us spiritual gifts that have purpose and meaning towards your mission of hope and love on Earth. May we recognize and embrace our gifts that can be used together with the gifts of others for Your work. Amen.
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