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. 7 A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good. 8 A word of wisdom is given by the Spirit to one person, a word of knowledge to another according to the same Spirit, 9 faith to still another by the same Spirit, gifts of healing to another in the one Spirit, 10 performance of miracles to another, prophecy to another, the ability to tell spirits apart to another, different kinds of tongues[a] to another, and the interpretation of the tongues to another. 11 All these things are produced by the one and same Spirit who gives what he wants to each person.
12 Christ is just like the human body—a body is a unit and has many parts; and all the parts of the body are one body, even though there are many. 13 We were all baptized by one Spirit into one body, whether Jew or Greek, or slave or free, and we all were given one Spirit to drink. 14 Certainly the body isn’t one part but many.
Reflection
Today’s scripture reading immediately reminded me of our Soul Soup ministry. Our volunteers make soup from our church garden veggies and donations of meats, herbs, beans, pasta and broth. We send the soup to a partner church where they feed and donate soup to people who can’t afford nutritious food. When I look into the steaming pots of delicious soups simmering
on the stove, I see all the individual veggies, pasta and meats in the bubbling broth. Each of those individual items may be tasty on their own, but it’s the combination of all those things together that makes the soup smell and taste amazing while nourishing those who are hungry. No one item stands out, they become a new creation, a symphony of flavor in a life giving humble bowl of soup.
In today’s reading, Paul is explaining to the Corinthians, that we are all part of the body of Christ, and we are all given the same baptism by the Holy Spirit. Each of us is given different spiritual gifts to do God’s work in this world. This is not something we can take credit for, nor is anyone more important because of their status, spiritual gifts, ministries or actions. We are a diverse group of individual believers called from all over the world to act together in unity. We
are a new creation, and even though we are many, we are all part of the one body of Christ working for the transformation of the world.
by Jeneene Reduker
For Pondering and Prayer
None of us individually has every gift that is needed by the church community to serve the world. Just like that humble bowl of soup, the church needs all of us acting together. Often I hear people say that they are afraid to volunteer to serve in a ministry at church. It can be that they are comparing themselves to someone they feel is more equipped. God created you with your unique gifts and talents and the body of Christ, the church, needs what only you were created by God to give. We are incomplete with out you!
Is comparing your gifts and talents with others preventing you from serving at your church?
What spiritual gifts has God given you to bless the body of Christ with to serve others?
Prayer: Holy and Loving God, thank you for your Spirit and the unique gifts you have given each of us to serve with others as the body of Christ. Help us not to compare ourselves with others, or try to do everything on our own, instead, unite us so that we can use our gifts together, to transform the world. Amen.
