Something To Offer

Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

Now God gives us many kinds of special abilities, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service to God, but it is the same Lord we are serving. There are many ways in which God works in our lives, but it is the same God who does the work in and through all of us who are his. The Holy Spirit displays God's power through each of us as a means of helping the entire church. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (TLB)

When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same any more. A new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (TLB)

Torrey Curtis, from Oklahoma, is a widower, and he has lived by himself for more than 10 years after 35 years of marriage to a wonderful woman. His wife had done all their cooking, so thankfully, Torrey has discovered a salad which he really enjoys. Every day when he is at home he makes this same salad. Recently, while offering thanks to God for his salad, several insights came to mind.

His salad has the following ingredients: spinach from California, apple from Washington, tomato from Texas, avocado from Mexico, prunes from Chile, tuna from Thailand, olive oil from Greece, and lemon juice from Florida. His salad also has beautiful color, texture, taste, and nourishment. It brings together ingredients from at least four continents. Every ingredient is distinctive, and if any ingredient were absent, Torrey would miss it immediately.

In a similar way, each person is distinctive. Each of us has something special to offer, and each of us is missed when our participation is absent. Our uniqueness means that we can offer something fresh to the world. What freshness is God calling us to bring to the lives of those around us today?

Prayer: Thank you, God, for the gift of life in all its variety and color. May we bring the freshness of your love in Jesus Christ to the world, for we ask it in his precious name. Amen.