Enjoy All The Lights On The Tree

1Corinthians 12:4-9,11,20-26
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. And there are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all [persons].  But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit.  But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; or again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those [members] of the body, which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, that there should be no division in the body, but [that] the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if [one] member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

    Have you ever spent time beating yourself up because you weren’t as gifted as your friend, in some particular area?  For example, you feel inadequate because you aren’t as technologically savvy or as clever as someone else you know?  Spending time wishing you were different than you are is counter-productive to God’s plan.  God made each of us exactly as we are, so we could love and help each other. That’s His plan.  How we glorify God is reflected in how we treat each other.  Ultimately, we are all on the same team and each of us has been given different gifts so that we can play different positions.  One position or set of abilities isn’t better than another, it’s just different. If the team doesn’t have a catcher, what good will it do if it has five pitchers?  Rather than spending time wishing you more like someone else, enjoy and appreciate the unique gifts God has given them for the good of the team.  It is the same Spirit, the same love that flows through all of us.  God knows why He created each one of us, and our job is to use our gifts and abilities to help the team, wherever that team may be, and with whatever players God has chosen to bring to your dug-out.  If someone isn’t as strong a player as you wish, let that go. God has also created them for a particular purpose.  And He goes one step further by saying that the “weak link” person should have a special position of honor on your team. Their presence in your life, causes you to step up your game, to find new ways do deal with them and to help them.  Just like with lights on a Christmas tree, if one strand is “out,” the tree isn’t quite right. We all need to scramble so we can get those particular lights lit, so that the tree can shine and everyone who sees it will marvel at its beauty. So the next time you are taking stock of who is currently on your playing field, remember that God has put you all together for a reason.  In order to win the game you need to make sure that to the best of your ability, you are ensuring that all the lights are lit…yours and those teammates that God has brought into your world.

Click the link below to see my books,
"Keeping Your Lamp Lit"
http://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Your-Lamp-Lit-Schuler/dp/1451559321/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277386999&sr=1-1#noop
"Good Strategies for Bad Times"
http://www.amazon.com/Good-Strategies-Bad-Times-Schuler/dp/1438257775/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265471485&sr=8-1