Listen

A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good. A word of wisdom is given by the Spirit to one person, a word of knowledge to another according to the same Spirit, faith to still another by the same Spirit, gifts of healing to another in the one Spirit, performance of miracles to another, prophecy to another, the ability to tell spirits apart to another, different kinds of tongues to another, and the interpretation of the tongues to another. All these things are produced by the one and same Spirit who gives what he wants to each person.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11

Think

It sure would be great to see performance of miracles, wouldn’t it? Sometimes I wonder why the age of miracles appears to be over. It would be so great to see an instant, miraculous, supernatural solution to heal the sick, feed the hungry, end the violence that so ails our world.

But demonstrations of the Spirit are given for one reason, and one reason only: the common good. Their purpose is not to show off. (Which, let’s be honest, is what would probably happen if they looked cool enough.) The Spirit’s common purpose for every gift is to build up the common good.

We don’t need supernatural powers to do that. We can build up the common good with the gifts that we have without wishing for more.

Jordan Haynie Ware

Pray

Satisfy my heart, O Resurrecting God, with the gifts you have given, that I may use them to love others as you have loved me; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who loved us to the end. Amen.

Go

Breathe upon us, breath of God, young and old alike.

Send us forth, gifted with your power, to serve your people.