303 of 365 - Variety of Gifts, Same Spirit

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:4
 
The devil is the father of lies, and he has a few favorites. One lie is we aren’t good enough. We don’t have anything of value. We have no unique gifts worthy to share. And as we look around, we feel all alone and useless. It seems like everyone else has these amazing gifts and talents and platforms. But we just don’t matter. This is a LIE.

On the other end of the spectrum, the devil is working just as hard, making us believe that we are all that. That we are so valuable and independent. We can do it all on our own. We are better alone. We don’t need anyone else. This too is a LIE.

The devil loves to get our eyes looking to the front, back, left, and right…anywhere but up. Comparing and condemning… ourselves or others, or often both at the same time. He plants lies in our head that if people are different than us…in their look, behavior, mannerisms, giftings, priorities, passions, platforms, ministries, ways of worship…then they are wrong or they are better.

Paul is basically saying, “JUST STOP!” We are different because we have different purposes and callings, but they all come from the same source and we are all stronger together. There are things that we can accomplish in unity that could never be accomplished in isolation. In a symphony, if even one of the instruments is off-key, the entire sound is off. We are all instruments to make a joyful noise at the hands of the Great Conductor. We are all parts of one body. Though we are different, we all share the same DNA at our core…we are all created in the image and likeness of God, the creator of all things. No part of the body is more important than the other. No part of the body is insignificant. We all need each other. Paul is essentially saying, “Let’s start acting like it.”

​The crazy thing is there is so much joy and freedom and peace in doing our thing…the thing we are good at and called to do…in beautiful community with other people doing their thing for the Kingdom of God.
 
Questions: Which lie do you generally fall for: that you are too much or too little? Do you ever let comparison get the best of you?