Oftentimes, I see people around the community, and even around the world who feel like they are not needed. They constantly think that no one would notice if they disappeared. They don't realize that there are people out there who care about them, when there are many who do.
I have to say, I've seen this happen in churches to. People feel they need to have a certain "gift" in order to be useful. They see people who get up and speak, sing, play an instrument, do sound, run power point, or help with the children, and think, "I'm of no use. I'm not gifted like these people are! Why am I even here?" They do not see their gift of encouragement, prayer, praise, writing, etc. as important. They think that they need one of the "special gifts" to be important. They undermine the gifts God has given them.
Paul addresses this issue in his letter to the Corinthians in chapter 12. He tells us, "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone is the same God at work." (1 Cor. 12:4-6, NIV) Verse 7 tells us that "to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." This means that ALL GIFTS not just SOME GIFTS are important. Paul goes on to tell about the different gifts; wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, discerning between spirits, and so many more. Some of these terms are not used very much in this day and age. But all these gifts still exist.
In verses 12-31, Paul tells us about the body, and how important each part is, and gives a ridiculous illustration of different parts of the body saying they don't need each other. The foot is self-loathing because he isn't a hand, so he doesn't feel important. The same happens with other parts of the body, and Paul says that "God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be." (Verse 18.) Paul goes on to talk about how each part fits together, and why and how each is important. He says the parts that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts we think are less honorable are treated with special honor. (Verses 22-23.) He talks about how if one part of the body suffers, we should suffer with it, and if one part rejoices, all should rejoice. (Verse 26.)
The body cannot be divided against itself; neither can the church. We need to learn to work together and respect each other, and value everyone's gifts. All can be used. Not everyone has the same gifts. Encouragers can help those who get up in front of people every week, or even the single mother who sits in the back row. Prayer warriors can pray for anyone and anything. People who have wisdom or knowledge can share it. The list goes on and on. Find a way to use YOUR gift. Learn to work together. Imagine what will happen when God's church unites.
"Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body-- whether Jew or Gentiles, slave or free-- and we were all given the same Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many." (1 Cor. 12:12-14.)
ALWAYS remember you have a gift. NEVER think otherwise.
Suggested reading- 1 Corinthians 12
