Many Gifts, One Spirit

1 Corinthians 12:4-7—Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

God created us to be in relationship with Him and with each other.  Because of the way He has distributed spiritual gifts, He has ensured our interdependence upon each other.  With the exception of Jesus, no man has ever been individually completely whole.  So to experience the full wonder of spiritual intimacy with God, we must bond with one another, celebrate each other’s strengths, and fill in the weak spots with our own strengths.  Key to building strong relationships with one another, and in turn with God, is learning what gifts we have been given and then maturing in those gifts.   Throughout the Bible we see numerous examples of the gifts God bestows on His followers.  For example, the widow at Zeraphath had the gift of faith that sustained Elijah, who was blessed with prophesy.  The apostles were blessed with myriad gifts including healing, discernment, and wisdom, to name a few.  God continues to bless His creation with spiritual gifts intended to foster strong relational bonds.

Today as you pray and meditate on this Scripture, thank God for the spiritual gifts He has given you.  Ask Him to reveal your gifts and empower you to use them according to His will.  Pray for guidance as you mature in your gifts and develop strong, loving relationships with other believers and non-believers so that they may come to know Jesus, too.