Daily Reading for Thursday, Feb. 21: Sharing

“Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. “ Romans 12:6-8

There is a wonderful expression of variety within the body of Christ. We are not all the same; nor do we express our faith in the same way. And God has designed it that way. He has created each us to be unique and to share His good news in our own, personal manner. He is not impressed when we copy someone else’s expression, and He is not fooled when we use someone else’s words as our own. He wants to hear our original song, to see our original artwork. And so do those who are seeking the Lord. When we are authentic in our faith, that is, when we live what we believe to be true according to the revelation of God through His word and His Spirit, we are creating a masterpiece that only we can create. Not everyone has the same gift, not everyone has the same story, and not everyone will share the good news the same way. And that is precisely the way God wants it. He delights in our diversity; for each us of is an expression of Him in some way or another. So do not be reluctant to share simply because you don’t share like someone else. We cannot be intimidated by our brothers and sisters in Christ. We simply must do what we’ve been created to do—to the best of our ability according to the grace that has been given us by our Lord and Savior.