City Life Starter

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (NIV)

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.

5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.

6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,

9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,

10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.

11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

By Stefan Johnsson

The greatness of God is that He manifests himself to us in different ways. There is not one story or testimony that is the same for any one person. There is not one type of personality or gift that all people have. We were created unique, each one of us for a purpose that God has predestined for us to accomplish.

Are we then to be jealous about a gift that we do not have? Should we compare ourselves to others? What if you are the only person who serves every week in the children’s ministry or for any service projects? Or you wonder why you do not have the voice to sing in the worship band?

We cannot think like this. You are not to compare yourself to others or look to others to see where your own spiritual life is at. You may not speak in tongues or ever heal anyone with a disease, but that is not a gift that God has given you, and you are not to be disheartened. You have your own purpose and you have to use what God has given you instead of praying or hoping for something that was not planned or specific to you.

Pray that God will reveal the gifts and purpose for the calling He has for you. He is faithful and will show you and use you. If it is service, then serve for God and not others. If it’s worship, then worship the best that you can to God and not to seek affirmation from others. Make God first in all that you do and you will see the changes in your own life and also in the lives of the people around you.