I’ve been spending a little time in the letter of 1 Corinthians, reading Paul’s words to the early believers regarding some conflicts that were happening within the body. One of those conflicts the Corinthians were experiencing was over spiritual gifts. Some had the gift of speaking in tongues, and they believed their gifts were better than any other. Don’t you just love some of the things we disagree over in the church, by the way? So, Paul reminded the believers that we all have unique gifts given through the Spirit. The important thing is not which one is greater but, instead, are we using them for the glory of God. (See 1 Corinthians 12:7)

Here’s a devotional I came across that, I think, communicates this well.

A Brokxn Kxy

Evxn though my typxwritxr is an old modxl, it works quitx wxll xxcxpt for onx of thx kxys.

I havx many timxs wishxd that it workxd pxrfxctly.

It is trux that thxrx arx forty-onx kxys that function wxll xnough, but just onx kxy not working makxs thx diffxrxncx.

Somxtimxs it sxxms to mx that our church is somxthing likx my typxwritxr –– not all thx kxy pxoplx arx working propxrly.

As onx of thxm, you may say to yoursxlf, “Wxll, I am only onx pxrson, I don’t makx or brxak thx church.”

But it doxs makx a big diffxrxncx, bxcausx a church, to bx xffxctivx, nxxds thx activx participation of xvxry pxrson.

So, thx nxxt timx your xfforts arx not nxxdxd vxry much, rxmxmbxr my typxwritxr and say to yoursxlf, “I am a kxy pxrson in thx congrxgation and I am nxxdxd vxry much.”

Grace and peace, friends.

— Mark