We All Are Needed

This morning in my reading I was struck by this section of Romans. I was reminded that the gifts we have come from God and we are given them for a purpose. While I was in Congo I served in whatever way I was asked. Even though in my mind I thought that it was not something I could do or should do. I did what was needed because it was something that needed to be done. I did not have time, energy or space to doubt the gifts that God has given me. However, the moment I return home sinking back into that doubt is far too easy. It is so easy to go right back to the routines and things I did before. Maybe I am the only one like this. Maybe some of the rest of you find this happening in your own life. In moments where you have to act, the doubts may come up but not stop you from action. However, in those moments when things have calmed down, you are able to let the doubt sink in and are moved to inaction. This morning, not only did my Bible reading include the passage from Romans below, the reading in my devotional read talked about inaction and delayed action and how these are both disobedience.

“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”

Romans 12:6-8 NKJV

I don’t know about you but I usually need God to say the same thing multiple times before I get the message. This morning it seemed to be clear that I need to be aware of my own doubts and not let them draw me to inaction. My own doubts linger often because I don’t see things the same way as others. And I don’t do things the same way. Then I see the verse at the beginning of the Romans section “For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function,” Romans 12:4 NKJV and I remember that we were created different for a reason. I have a way with seeing multiple possibilities that others don’t have. I see the logistic issues others may not see. There are times that is valuable and I need to remember that the church and my community needs each member to be who they were created to be. Do your doubts keep you from action? Let’s chat!