“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh al in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the spirit the world of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit,; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another diverse kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues; But all these worketh that one and the self same Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will. For as the body is one, and hath many member, and all members of that one body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ.” 1 Cor. 12: 1-12
Today’s Christian daily devotional
“So now what?” I lean over the small boat and feel my weight shifting the balance of it.
“We just…wait.” John dips his pole into the water and smiles widely, as if he is having the time of his life.
After several coats of bug spray, sunblock and my own sweat, the fifteen minutes we took to row off the shore feels more like an exercise in torture, not pleasure. I quell the urge to smack the smile off of John’s face for tricking me into having ‘fun’ with him.
Pulling my cotton hat lower to hide from the sun, I hunker down embracing the reality that I will just have to wait this one out. The sun shining brightly feels like a mockery.
“So how long do you wait?” I ask after of few moments of silence.
“Oh, I don’t know. Sometimes it takes over an hour before you get a bite; sometimes not. Depends on how good the lake is stocked.” Shifting the pole into his other hand, John’s wide grin is as steady as his pole. It is quite clear that he is in no rush.
“So, what happens if you don’t catch any thing?” I am intrigued at how calm John is; normally he is in a hurry to do everything.
“I just get up earlier the next day and do it all over again. Sometimes it takes a while before you find that sweet spot.” John hypnotically scans the scenery while he speaks.
The direct sunlight is irritating me, the disgusting bugs aren’t fazed by my constant swatting and keeping my body balanced so we both don’t tip is more than I care to be concerned with. So far, this weekend getaway has been the antithesis of relaxation.
What if I actually happen to catch a fish? I think to myself. I determine right then and there that actually touching the smelly, slimy thing is where I draw the line. In my world, fish are for eating, not for catching.
After sitting for a few moments, I get an instant moment of clarity.
“I think my knee is starting to bug me.” I sigh dramatically as I turn my big eyes up at him. “Sorry, to break it to you, but we have to keep this short today.” My smile is extra wide because I am quoting my John’s infamous words exactly. This is what he says to me whenever we are out shopping for shoes at my favorite outdoor mall.
“Well played, Jules.” Smiling as he chuckles to himself, he reels in his line. John saves the day by packing up his gear and rowing us back to the dock.
All of our future outdoor adventures benefited from this short excursion. We learned that compromise is not always a bad thing. Now when we venture to enjoy the lovely benefits of fresh air and nature, you can find me reading a book under a shady tree on the shore while John fishes to his heart’s galore.
In 1 Corinthians 12:1-12, the Bible notes that each member of the body of Christ should celebrate their individual abilities and strengths. This is because we each have special talents and different tasks to perform.
In coming to terms with this, we actually create a stronger unit as a whole. This is because we won’t be wasting our time or frustrations trying to fit where we were never supposed to be to begin with.
In addition, our common goal of serving God will not only allow us to learn from each other’s strengths, but give us the important bonding experience of being a support system to one another.
The differences God created within us were never supposed to set us back. This is simply just another reminder of how dependent we are on each other.
If you are serving God and not having much joy while you are doing it, ask yourself if you are trying to force a fit. Doing this won’t help you enjoy the life you were given, or help you find the real job that God designed just for you.
“Dear Heavenly Father,
I need to stop for a moment and get off this crazy train. I had every intention to serve you, and yet I have lost my joy. What once started out as a labor of love, ended up making me feel drained and further from you.
How did this happen? Show me if I am only doing tasks because I see other believers doing them. I don’t want to go on automatic pilot and serve you like a robot.
I need to know what task that you have set-aside specifically for me to d, and I would love for you to show me my unique talents to execute it. I refuse to waste my life and time doing work that was never mine to begin with.
Help me to not feel any better or any less than my brothers and sisters in Christ, knowing that we all have a unique position in the family of God. In Jesus’ precious name, give me the confidence, direction and clarity I need to do a job that is pleasing in your sight, Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s Christian daily devotional on verses: 1 Corinthians 12:1-12
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan