Romans 12:6 (NIV)
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace
given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in
accordance with your faith;
No one person could have accomplished the work of repairing
the walls and gates of Jerusalem. Nehemiah’s effective leadership helped him
survey the damage, prepare a plan, and seek the cooperation of the people to
carry it out. He formulated a plan and then sought people for assignments
according their gifts. He knew it would take craftsmen, priests, and a vast
array of people to accomplish the task. As the leader, he had the awesome job
to identify who was to do what job according to their skills and gifts. As the
body of Christ, we must work together to do the work of the kingdom.
We must identify our gifts and be willing to use them for
the glory of God.
Paul, in his letter to the Romans, describes the body of
Christ and how it functions: Just as each of us has one body with many members,
and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are
many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Romans 12:4)
Recently I attended a conference in St. Louis, Missouri. I
am not a seasoned traveler, and my friend, a flight attendant for almost 30
years, accompanied me. Due to poor weather conditions, our plane was delayed,
and suddenly there was pandemonium as thousands of people were going to miss
their connections. My friend used both her professional experience and her communication
gifts to negotiate alternative plans. Watching her during this real-life
turmoil reminded me of the body of Christ and the value of working together.
She used her travel experience to ensure our return home. It was a negotiation
for which I had no experience, and had I been by myself, I would still be in
St. Louis! Nehemiah joined the people in the work of rebuilding the walls, each
using his or her gift to the glory of God. We are also called to work together
as members of one body, each with different gifts to build God’s kingdom.
Thought for
today: How do I utilize my gifts?
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