We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. Romans 12:6
Many of us are unhappy with ourselves. We have one or more features we wish we could change to be more like another person. When we are uncomfortable with who we are in comparison with others, we may have forgotten that our true goal is to be more like Christ.
In Christ, God redeemed us as His own. "In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others" (Romans 12:5). Through His Spirit, poured out on us in Baptism, He endows each of us with special gifts and talents for rendering service to Him. God calls us to put our abilities to work for the good of the whole church--a labor of love that is a joy.
If we are experiencing a loss of creativity or enthusiasm in our service, it may be an indication that we have stepped out of the area for which God has uniquely equipped us. Spiritual maturity brings a self-awareness of where we function best. All God asks is that we express our uniqueness in Christian service. When we are the persons God has designed us to be--and we are doing the work for which He has equipped us--we will find satisfaction in our service again. It's a better way to live.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help us so employ Your gifts that we serve You with continual joy; for Jesus' sake. Amen.
(Devotions from "The Abundant Life" copyright 1998, CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Permission is granted for one-time e-mailing of this link to a friend. For information on other devotional material, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit CPH at www.cph.org.)
Today's Bible Readings: Psalms 73, 85 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
To Download Devotion MP3 to your computer, right click here and select "Save Link As" or "Save Target As" or "Download Linked File As"