And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. I Corinthians 12: 21, 22, NKJV
The people in the congregation where we performed a special music program were effusive in their compliments. As I prayed after the concert, I found myself playing the comparison game.
“Why can’t our people be like these, Lord? Why did you call us to pastor a church full of nit-picky grumps? I’m tired of forgiving, loving, and blessing such ungrateful babies.”
Deep in my heart, His voice slapped my conscience. “You think you’re better than they are.”
A sick feeling clutched my belly. “You’re right, Lord,” I muttered. “All this grumbling against the people we serve comes from a feeling of superiority, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, it does.”
Even though His voice had gentled, I knew there was more. “You say you want to minister to people and lead them to a deeper walk in Me. Yet you only want to help those who think you’re magnificent. The ones who need the help most are the whiney babies, not the spiritual giants. Who gave you the gifts to help people? If you do anything valuable, it came from Me. You are not the present, Jeanette, just the wrapping.”
Ouch. And thanks. I needed to hear that.
If I don’t keep a watchful eye on my attitudes, I can deceive myself into thinking God can’t operate His kingdom without our wonderful selves. We believe the lie that He works through us because we’re more talented or better qualified than our neighbor is. Then we look in the Book and see the types of people He most enjoys working with:
Moses, who murdered a man and argued with God’s call on his life;
Rahab, an ex- prostitute;
David, who lied, murdered, and committed adultery;
Peter, who denied Jesus at His trial after boasting he’d follow Him to death;
Paul, who hunted down Christians and had them thrown in jail.
None of these men and women was an exemplary God-follower. But He chose them anyway. He wrapped His word, His provision, and the ancestry of the Savior in these imperfect packages.
And He continues to do so today.
It’s not the number of gifts we possess that makes us usable in the kingdom; it’s how yielded we are to the Holy Spirit and how humble our attitude is. Let’s remind ourselves that Jesus is the present; we are only the package.
Then go out and sparkle for Him!
“Nutty with a dash of meat” best describes Jeanette Levellie’s speaking, writing, and life. She has published hundreds of humor/inspirational columns, articles, greeting cards, and poems. A spunky pastor’s wife, Jeanette is the mother of two, grandmother of three, and waitress to four cats. Her debut humor/inspirational book, Mirth and Worth in the Real Lane, releases in April of 2012. Find her mirthful musings at www.jeanettelevellie.com.
Read Jeanette’s devotions.
