Listen

There are different spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; and there are different ministries and the same Lord; and there are different activities but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good.

1 Corinthians 12:4-7

Think

Sometimes it’s easy to compare ourselves to other people. Someone sings better, speaks with more confidence, or seems to have more talents. I tend to compare myself to others, and in the midst of those comparisons, I may feel that what I have is not enough. But our scripture for today reminds us of something important: the Spirit of God does not work in only one way. There are different gifts, different ways of serving, different ways of doing good. And they all come from the same Spirit. That means that what you have, your abilities, your way of seeing the world, your way of serving and caring for others, is also part of God’s work. It is not an accident. It is not minor. It is necessary.

The Spirit does not give us gifts to compete, but to contribute. Each gift has a purpose: to help, to heal, to build, to accompany. We don’t need to be someone else. We just need to recognize that the Spirit is already at work in us.

Jhanderys Dotel-Vellenga

Question to Ponder:

What gifts or qualities do you see in yourself that could be a way in which God’s Spirit is at work?

Pray

God, help me to recognize the gifts you have placed in me. Teach me to value them and use them for the good of others. Open my eyes to see your work in my life. Amen.

Go

Go out into the world with care and courage. God’s Spirit goes with you, guiding your steps and working through your life to bring love, justice, and hope.