A Daily Devotion for Thursday, October 22
1Corinthians 12:4-11
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
This last weekend I was in Indianapolis with a group of women I have known for many years. We met when we were all in pediatrics residency in Cincinnati, and we worked together for three years, completing our residencies in pediatrics. We had in common the desire to use our medical degrees working with children. Now, 40 years later, we are all doing very different things. Only two women continued on to work in general pediatrics, outpatient care in group practices until they recently retired. Another went on to get more training and is in charge of a large pediatric emergency room in the South. Another went on to train in radiology, and has worked her entire career in adult radiology. Yet another left medicine altogether and became a master gardener, leading educational events and other activities at a horticultural center. And I continued on to be trained as a psychiatrist, working only with adults- many seniors! As the song goes, “Many Gifts, One Spirit!” What a blessing that God calls us each to do something different.
Holy Lord, As I approach retirement I will continue to listen to the Spirit’s direction for me. I pray that you will use me to be your light, to show your love, and to be a good and faithful servant. Amen
Becky, transforming
Pic by someone in the group 😁
1Corinthians 12:4-11
There are many ways to serve the Church. I think of the weekly church email that comes out and in every single one there is a long list of things for which to volunteer. I wonder if there has been a single response to this list. I was recently challenged to find a spiritual gifts inventory online and reassess my role in service to the Church. This is a complex issue. On one hand we like to be where we do our best work. On the other, if don’t occasionally step back and take a personal inventory we may miss opportunities to serve in ways we may not have considered. We are all works in progress with the…