We are the gifts of God to each other. It isn’t just that we have gifts. We ourselves are those gifts. This is why Christian discipleship is a community thing. You need other people more than you think, and other people need you more than you think. We were made to be mutually dependent even though our pride often blinds us to this fact. You particularly need people who are different to you, who see and think differently. People tend to gather in groups of likeminded people, but the church must be different. We must appreciate diversity. We must listen to those who challenge our view point. Another person will help you see, hear and feel things you would not otherwise see, hear or feel. The beauty of being part of the body of Christ, the church, is that we have the opportunity to see with many eyes, hear with many ears and feel with many hearts. Learn to see through the perspective of other people. Listen to what they have to say. Share the joys and sorrows in their hearts. Other people are God’s gift to you. Honour and respect others, therefore, so you can be blessed. Also, give yourself to others. You also are a gift for your church. Do not underestimate what God wants to do through you. Never withhold yourself from the church. If you withhold yourself from the church, you withhold yourself from God. Don’t punish the church by separating from it. Bless the church by serving with your gifts. To offer yourself like this to God is your true act of worship (Romans 12:1).
Ask God to show you opportunities to serve the body of Christ.
Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
