Written by Megan Meier
The Word
“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.”
Ephesians 4:11-14 (NIV)
Reflection
The majority of you who read these devotionals are grown up, we’re paying the rent or mortgage, shop for groceries, and pay our taxes (reminder: it’s tax season!). Imagine meeting an old friend or former classmate you haven’t seen in years. To your surprise, he or she has not changed at all, think Sonny Koufax from Big Daddy or Billy Madison from said movie* (both played by Adam Sandler), an adult with Peter Pan syndrome. On TV, it’s funny, but in real life, it’s confusing, annoying, and maybe even sad. Or what if it’s more insidious, they’ve has been going to the same church for ten years and still contribute nothing. Or they say they’ve been a Christian for a decade and their behavior is the same pre-salvation.
I won’t deny growing up is hard, emotionally and especially spiritually, but it beats arrested development and not being able to move forward. Everybody grows old, but not everybody grows up. We are meant to mature, not stay as children. We’re not meant to just consume and consume, but to grow and equip other believers. Everybody’s gifts (intentionally plural, not a typo) are needed in the church.
*Spoiler alert: Both of Sandler’s characters grow out of their immaturity and use their skills to make the world a better place.
Application
Your gifts are needed in the church, even if they seem small at first. Like the five loaves and two fishes (John 6:1-14), give Jesus what you have and He will multiply it.
Prayer
Dear Lord, help me to use what I have to benefit the body of Christ and to multiply the talents You have given me. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.
City Life Starter 
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