We are not all the same, nor are we called to be clones of some “superstar” in the Christian world. Each of us has been placed in Christ and must therefore cultivate our individual place of service to Him.
When this truth becomes real to us, the importance of the various positions in the Body of Christ will be easy to appreciate. The gift speaks more of the One who gave it than the one who now possesses it. In other words, God’s gifts manifested in a person’s life really point to Him. They testify to His ability to do extraordinary things through ordinary people.
Understanding this principle frees us from the destructive trap of comparison and competition. We are not in a race against others in the Kingdom of God, and we must not measure our success or failure by the abilities or the various facets of God’s grace in others. If we belong to God, we must serve Him.
In Second Corinthians 10:12, the Apostle Paul said, “For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” (NKJV).
Significance is not in how big or small our contribution may seem, but rather in Who has told us to do what we do. If we can be confident that we are following the voice of our Shepherd, that is all the significance we need.
When Paul speaks of the call of God that is on every person, he brings into perspective the reason for that divine call. Notice what Paul says in First Corinthians 1:26-29:
“For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence” (NKJV).
Clearly, it is not achievements or personality that God is looking for, but simply someone who will say yes to Him. God receives glory whenever a person makes himself available to Him.
When we realized that God had called us because of His plan and not because of some mystical quality we possessed, we knew that we can be used by Him. We could meet His qualifications and maintain a heart that desired to follow Him.
The calling of God and our service to Him are not confined to what is done in a church service or an evangelistic meeting. Each of the many gifts and graces that He bestows on His people is a vital aspect to the ministry of the Gospel. Whether the ministry is in administration, giving, or helps, it is important to see that God will use every gift He bestows to His glory, not to the glory of the recipient.
We must take the time to find out which gifts the Lord has given us, and then we can begin to cultivate these gifts. Listen to His direction and follow His lead. The more we understand what the Lord has called us to do, the more useful we will be in the Kingdom of God.
