My Inbox of Daily Inspirations: Daily Heartlight -- October 6, 2007

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October 6, 2007

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=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================

If You're Not Sure of Your Part, by Alan Smith

I heard about a junior high music teacher who had just organized a band
in her school. The principal was so proud of the music teacher's
efforts, that without consulting her, he decided that the band should
give a concert for the entire school. The music teacher wasn't so sure
her young musicians were ready to give a concert, so she tried to talk
the principal out of holding the concert, but to no avail.

Just before the concert was ready to begin, as the music teacher stood
on the podium, she leaned forward and whispered to her nervous
musicians, "If you're not sure of your part, just pretend to play."

And with that, she stepped back, lifted her baton, and with a great
flourish brought it down. Lo and behold, nothing happened! The band
brought forth a resounding silence.

I can't help but wonder if we have the same problem in church at times.
Christians may have the idea that since they're unsure of the part that
they are to play, they'll just sit and pretend. The problem is, when
everyone is unsure of what part they're supposed to play, the result is
silence -- nothing gets done.

What is the solution?

What is the solution? The solution is helping each and every member of
the body of Christ to learn his or her part. In 1 Corinthians 12,
Ephesians 4, and Romans 12, Paul pictures the church as a body with all
of the different parts of that body having different functions.

"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let
us use them ..." (Romans 12:6 RSV).

I can't do everything, or even most things, and I certainly can't do
everything well. But, that's OK. The saxophonist in an orchestra isn't
expected to know how to play the drums. His talent is playing the
saxophone. His job is simply to make use of his talent and do the very
best that he can.

Learn what your gift is, and then use it to the glory of God. Paul
offers a list of possibilities. Maybe your gift is speaking, or
serving, or encouraging, or giving, or leading, or showing mercy (Romans
12:6-8). Perhaps your gift is in that list, perhaps it's something else
altogether -- see also 1 Peter 4:10-11.

But, if you're not sure of your part, please don't sit and pretend to
play. Find out what your gift is and then make use of it to the glory
of God!

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(c) 2007 Alan Smith <alansmith.servant@gmail.com>. Used by
permission. This devotional was reprinted from Thought for the
Day <http://www.TFTD-online.com>.

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Daily Heartlight -- October 6, 2007