Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
December 20, 2023
Romans 12:3-8
3 Because of the grace that God gave me, I can say to each one of you: don’t think of yourself more highly than you ought to think. Instead, be reasonable since God has measured out a portion of faith to each one of you. 4 We have many parts in one body, but the parts don’t all have the same function. 5 In the same way, though there are many of us, we are one body in Christ, and individually we belong to each other. 6 We have different gifts that are consistent with God’s grace that has been given to us. If your gift is prophecy, you should prophesy in proportion to your faith. 7 If your gift is service, devote yourself to serving. If your gift is teaching, devote yourself to teaching. 8 If your gift is encouragement, devote yourself to encouraging. The one giving should do it with no strings attached. The leader should lead with passion. The one showing mercy should be cheerful.
Good Morning. We are all parts of the one body.
In high school, one of my good friends was short, not quite 5 feet tall. I remember how she longed to be taller. At the same time, the tallest girl in our class wished that she were not so tall. This idea continues when those with curly hair straighten it, and those with straight hair get perms. Whatever we have, it seems we want something else. You could call this the grass is always greener scenario.
God blessed each of us with our own unique gifts. Our job is to discover, recognize, and develop the gifts we are given. Undeveloped gifts lie wasted. Imagine if Beethoven’s gift of music had never been realized or if Michaelangelo had never painted. The world would be less beautiful, and we would have unknowingly missed the glory of their gifts.
Sometimes, our potential gifts scare us. We have a gift to sing, but we are also very shy. An important part of our time on earth is to experience life. This often requires us to take risks and step outside our comfort zone. Embrace the gifts God gives you and share them with others as you are called.
Gracious God, Thank you for this beautiful gift of life. You bless us abundantly. May we accept and nurture your blessings so they may grow to their full potential. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Rather than pine for gifts I don’t have, I will offer those I do have to God.
Nurture your gifts! Pastor Liz
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