by Diane Ward
Aptitude is a natural
ability to do something. After a mask-making project I gladly put the sewing
machine back in the closet. I do not like to sew; it is not a natural ability or
affinity for me as it was for my mother. I want to crochet as she did and every
time I pick up the needles I remember that I don’t like to crochet!
To each
of us a gift of the Spirit is given to be shared for the common good of all. Paul
sets out for the Corinthian church, the spiritual principle of equality of gifts,
available to all regardless of finances, race, ethnicity, and gender. We are
one before the Father in Christ Jesus and heirs of many gifts through the Holy
Spirit; (wisdom, faith, healing, prophesy, discernment of spirits, tongues,
interpretation of tongues, teaching and as Paul eloquently stated, “the
greatest of these is love.”) 1 Corinthians 13.
All gifts are from God.
No one brings individual value outside of a direct deposit from the Holy
Spirit. In our worship communities each of us has something to offer. All gifts
are needed for the sharing of the Gospel and the life of the church. Paul uses the human body as a point of illustration,
(many members, yet all the same body.) When one member suffers, the whole body
is weakened. Our gifts become apparent to us as we share them, as we feel
the affinity of our gift.
Today we wait to be
together again, out of “this desert place!” As we return to the physical church
it will become a beautifully packaged gift. “The Lord is in His holy temple,
let all the earth be silent before him.” Habakkuk 2:20.
1 comment:
Love it all; especially the last paragraph.
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