Read: 1 Corinthians 12:27-31
Many years ago, my boss asked me to give oversight of a factory in Northern Ireland. It was geographically absurd and so far out of my skill set as to be risible. It would be ‘good for my development,’ was the strapline! In fact, there was no one else; I did my best for as long as required, but not a moment longer.
We all have different gifts and abilities. We may not always enjoy most the things we do best, but there is a time and a place for doing what we are really good at, whether we like it or not. Sometimes we are forced into situations where needs must, so we do what we neither like nor are good at.
Looking around us in the organisations we belong to, including the church, there are lots of examples of people having to do things they neither like nor are good at, ‘to keep the show on the road.’ There will be people reading this in exactly that situation. You deserve the gratitude of us all for you carry a heavier burden than when skills match tasks.
Reflecting on Saint Paul’s note to the Corinthians I am reminded that we are all differently gifted and all in it together. We have different gifts to offer. It is one thing to fill a gap, but quite another to pretend we can do anything well that comes our way. Few have that capability.
When did you last look at the things you do and compare them with the skills you have and the real needs around you. Especially in things done for God, are you doing well and gladly what you are gifted to do?
A Prayer
Lord, help me to understand myself sufficiently well as to contribute my gifts to the life of your church and not to pick what I like. Help us all to recognise the burden we place on those ill equipped to carry those burdens, and to seek ways to lift them. This we ask for the sake of Jesus and his gift empowering Spirit. Amen.