This Day in History: 0000-07-22

July 22 – Romans 12:3-8 

Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. 

Have you ever considered the absolute miracle that is the human body? It is so amazingly and intelligently designed! The way each part works with all the others in perfect harmony – each simply doing its own part and not trying to do anything else. It’s incredible! Yet, if even one part begins to malfunction, the whole thing is thrown into chaos.  

The body of Christ is no different. It too was designed intentionally by a loving and intelligent Creator. In fact, by the same Creator that meticulously formed the human body! Each part was placed on purpose, intended to function in a very specific way.  Each part was locked together with all the others, designed to work together in perfect synchronicity. When one part suffers, all the parts suffer. When one part ceases to function as it was meant to the whole thing is thrown into chaos. 

For this reason it is SO important each of us take the time to know and understand our purpose. We must rightly evaluate ourselves. Let’s resolve not to try to be what we were never meant to be simply because we think that job is better, or more important than the one we were designed to do. Let’s just do the things we were created to do, and let’s each do that thing well! 

I need you! I need you to function as God intended for you to function. Unless you do, my function will become far more difficult. You need me too. We all need each other. That’s how God made us.  

I do not have the gift of teaching. I’ve always wanted it, but I just don’t have it. But the church NEEDS teachers. Are you a teacher? Then teach. Teach well!  

I do not have the gift of mercy. It’s just not part of my make-up. But the church NEEDS the soft-hearted kindness of those with that gift. Desperately! So if that is you, then get busy coming alongside those who are hurting. And do it gladly. This is what you were created for! 

I can lead if I have to, and when God calls me to that role, I pray I can do it well, but there are many others who are far more equipped to fill that role than I am. Are you one of them? Are you a natural born leader? Get serious about it. There is a hole that was meant to be filled by you and people waiting to follow. Be humbled by that fact and lead them well! 

Are you happiest when you’re taking care of people? Get busy serving! Do you have a way with words – able to say just the right thing to put wind back into the deflated sails of others? Friend, use those words to build up and encourage the body! When you see a need, do you immediately feel tugged to give whatever you have to see it met? Give your all, everything you have! God made you to fill this role and you can be completely confident He will supply the resources needed! 

Are you like me, do you have extraordinary faith? Does God’s Word jump off the pages with practical applications in almost every situation you encounter? Do you find yourself wanting to implore people to simply do what is right and trust God for the rest? Precious friend, don’t shy away – God made you a prophet and He did it so that you would speak up! Find your voice and use every ounce of your faith to point people to Jesus! Your words can ignite passion, so start some fires my friend! 

Friends, we are the dearly loved children of the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth. He made us on purpose, and He made us for a purpose. Let’s live in that purpose every day for the rest of our lives!