"Each One Acordingly"

For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:4-8 NASB).

I have been teaching material dealing with spiritual gifts recently in our class. Two things occur to me. First, it is so easy to miss the truth that ALL believers are given a gift; and second, every gift is essential. In our reading today Paul calls his readers to use their gifts individually according to how they have been given.

Bridge builder, Charles Eliet, had a contract to build a suspension bridge across the Niagara River. One of the first problems he faced was how to stretch his first cable across the wide expanse of raging waters. If a boat tried to cross the river it would be swept over the falls. Eliet thought of a simple idea. If a kite could be flown to the opposite bank using a light cord, a stronger cord could be attached and pulled across, then a stronger cord pulled across and so on until a cable could be attached and drawn across. Eliet called for a kite flying contest and a young man named Homan Walsh succeeded on his second attempt. Charles Eliet's simple plan worked and the bridge was built.

I have found at times we can feel we don't have a very important role to play. What we do seems so insignificant. The temptation is to quit. After all, what difference does it make? It isn't so. Every Christian has an important part to play. It all adds up in the numerous "little things" we are called to do every day. The lie of our enemy would like us to believe otherwise. Let me remind you Jesus started spreading the gospel to the whole world by simply sending his disciples out two by two!

So, never underestimate the importance of what God has called you to do. No matter how small it may seem at the moment, God has a much greater plan in mind. We may not be able to see the finished product yet, but He can. Trust Him. Do what you can do Each One Accordingly!