1 Corinthians 12:4-7 – Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. And there are different activities, but the same God activates each gift in each person. A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person to produce what is beneficial: (HCSB)

I heard someone recently say, “If it’s the thought that counts in gift giving, how do I get people to think a little harder?” I know I have wondered that same thing! There have been times I’ve opened a gift and was filled with curiosity to know, “What is it about my personality that made you think of me when you decided to give this as a gift?” I have gotten gifts that I knew I would never use. I have gotten gifts that I didn’t know if I would use them or not because I didn’t know what they were. I hate to admit it, but on occasion I have been the giver of those types of gifts. Sometimes it happens that we simply made a bad choice when choosing a gift. Sometimes a gift is required but we have no idea what to give so we go with the attitude that anything is better than nothing. Not all gifts are awful – sometimes we get a gift that we can’t wait to use! God gives us gifts, and His gifts are always perfect because He always knows exactly what is needed. In 1 Corinthians 12 Paul tells us that even though our spiritual gifts are very diverse, we need to be careful not to consider one gift more important than another. I started thinking about who in my church has the most important gifts that add to the ministry. I think most people would say the pastor. He is certainly gifted and has the most visible gift, but personally I am very appreciative of the guy who uses his gift of service and empties the trashcans and especially appreciative of the person who makes sure there’s paper in the bathroom stalls! 1 Corinthians 1:10 tells us that Jesus planned for the church to function as one body. My husband and I know a young man that the right side of his brain is perfect and the left side of his brain is perfect, but the part that connects the two sides does not function properly and therefore this young man’s entire body suffers. It is the same if the church body doesn’t not work together. 1 Peter 4:11 tells us that God should be glorified through our service so it should not matter to us if we have the most visible of church jobs or work behind the scenes. Love needs to be the driving force behind our spiritual gifts, and true love ministers with no anticipation of recognition. When we minister in love, God is glorified. As I go about using the gifts You have given to me, Lord, help me to serve others as You would serve them, to speak as You would speak, and to have all my actions immersed in an attitude of love. Help me to always remember that I was not given gifts to impress others but to serve others and to point others to You.