"For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us."
-Romans 12:4-6
You are unique. God created you with a purpose in mind. He gave you specific talents and giftings. So why do we feel the need to compare ourselves to others? I'm not talking about 'keeping up with the Joneses,' I'm talking about ministry. Working in ministry for many years, one thing I consistently heard is "I want to be a pastor." As if that was God's highest calling in life. Being a pastor is an incredible calling...but it's exactly that--a calling, for specific people. It's not "better" than anything else. But for some reason, we as Christ-followers seem to be so focused on wishing we had other people's "better" gifts and talents, that we neglect our own.
I love the way the New Living Translation translates verse 6...
"In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well."
There are so many wonderful gifts listed in the Bible: encouragement, serving, teaching, to name a few. All of them are important and needed in the body of Christ. My challenge to you: do not focus on the gifts and talents you don't have or wish you had more of, but embrace the ones that God has given you. And not only embrace them, but work to grow and strengthen them. God gave them to you for a purpose...use them for His kingdom and for His glory.
