I think I can safely say that everyone likes to win…to experience victory.  Some find victory is easily obtained and others find that it eludes them at every juncture.  In our humanity, we discover that not one of us is wired the same, shaped the same or possess the same goals and interests.  Some can run like a deer and others are flatfooted and couldn’t run if their house was on fire. Some find math easy, while others give up in agony and frustration. 

[Kurt Vonnegut wrote a short story in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction (1961) called “Harrison  Bergeron.” The story portrays a dystopian, futuristic world in which everyone is forced to be equal by the government. Strong people must wear weights tied to their body. Smart people must wear an ear piece that makes loud noises in their ears every so often to confuse them. Beautiful people are forced to wear masks.

The goal is to make sure that no one’s feelings get hurt when someone turns out to have an unfair natural advantage. Everyone is equal, and everyone is mediocre. The result is that the talent, intelligence, and beauty are suppressed.  The things that we most value are eliminated so that no one’s feelings will get hurt.]

The Apostle Paul says that God gives different spiritual gifts (advantages) to different people.  His goal is not that we would all be the same, but rather that He would shine through us in different ways.  As a result of these diverse gifts, the church is edified and a lost world is reached with the Gospel. Rather than being jealous, we should celebrate one another’s gifts, because their variety is part of the beauty of God’s creation.

“If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?  But in fact, God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.  If they were all one part, where would the body be?  As it is, there are many parts, but one body.” 

1 Corinthians 12:17-19

In the end, there is hope for every person, gifted in amazing ways…we are.  But for many, these spiritual gifts are never found.  They go to their grave having never once experienced why God made them.  Have you discovered your spiritual gifts?  If not, would you like to?  The key word is “SPIRITUAL”!  The world will never show you these gifts…however our God, who incidentally made you, is happy to show you   exactly what He had in mind when He made you.

Your friend in Christ,

Pastor Greg