Monday, December 1, 2008

Parts and Fits

My husband Mark and I have joined a new church, and we love it! The preacher is articulate, interesting and challenging. The singing is relevant and inspirational. The members are friendly and involved. The ministries are varied and out-reaching. We look forward to serving and building new relationships.

At the orientation meetings we attended, a couple of men subtly encouraged Mark to become a referee or coach in the Upward sports programs. I'm sure their intentions were terrific--the men talked about how much they got out of helping kids in the community. Mark was polite, but he knows that is not his gift. Oh, he could do it. He likes kids, he likes sports, and he likes teams who follow the rules.

But that would be like sticking a foot where your head is supposed to go. Mark is brilliant with video and drama. He writes original skits, directs plays, shoots video of events or creates and directs video, and then he can edit and even post it to a website or PowerPoint presentation. Almost every church we have belonged to has realized what a blessing this gift is and has used Mark's God-given talents in special ways.

You may think I'm biased and just bragging about my husband. Maybe... but ask yourself... are you participating in a ministry just because someone asked you to... or because that is where you are brilliant? If you're the person who recruits people for service, are you just getting warm bodies, or are you finding people who are passionate about the project?

Don't settle for less. God doesn't. He created each one of us with a gift. Some talents are just easier to spot.

"For just as we have many members in one body and the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ..." Romans 12:4-5 (NASB)