Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 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. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
- 1 Corinthians 12:7-11
I can’t whistle.
It’s not for lack of trying. In fact, I’ve always been a little embarrassed by it. But no matter how hard I try, all that comes out when I try to make that sharp, distinctive sound is a soft, anticlimactic hiss. There are first graders out there who can whistle, but at age 35, I cannot.
Obviously I wish I could whistle, just like I wish I could drive an 18-wheeler or dunk a basketball. But those aren’t skills I was born with, nor ones I’ve acquired. So I just have to content myself with the things I can do, leaving those abilities for others. After all, I can’t do everything.
We understand that principle at a basic level, but forget it sometimes when it comes to spiritual matters—we want to be able to do everything (or perhaps want certain people to be able to do everything!) But the truth is, God doesn’t set up his church like the Avengers, a small team of superheroes swooping in to save all the ordinary bystanders. Rather, he empowers each believer, ensuring that all of us have a role to play.
You can’t do everything, no matter how much you want to. But you can do your part. And God has given you his Spirit to make sure you have what you need.
No comments:
Post a Comment