As a young kid I was invited to attend a friend’s birthday party, and I couldn’t wait to see the look on his face when he opened my gift. I had saved up my allowance for weeks to get him a toy that I just knew he would love more than all the others. But it turned out that my gift wasn’t nearly as “cool” as the gifts he received from some of the others. In fact, my gift was set aside and largely ignored for the remainder of the party.
That I still remember that feeling of inadequacy all these years later underscores just how challenging it sometimes is for us to avoid comparing what God has given us with what He has given others.
For Christians, this can be even more challenging.
“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” ~ Jesus, John 14: 12
When Jesus told his disciples that they would go on to do even greater things, it was more than mere encouragement; it was a divine revelation. Moreover, he wasn’t just talking to his disciples. He was talking to us – you and me. And not only was this a revelation from Christ… Jesus is calling each of us to recognize the unique gifts God has given to us individually.
Using our God-given gifts is more than just a suggestion; it’s an act of gratitude and obedience. It’s about being an active participant in God’s plan, letting His grace flow through us as we serve others in His Kingdom.
But here’s where it gets challenging: we’ve got to avoid playing the comparison game, that sneaky streak of jealousy that creeps up on us when we think someone else has a greater spiritual gift than we do. I personally know several men who I consider to be excellent public speakers. Not only are they articulate, but they seem to have the natural ability to command the attention of an audience. They’re excellent communicators. And they know how to blend in the right amount of lighthearted humor without abandoning the overall purpose of their message. Sometimes it’s difficult for me to not be jealous of their amazing gift to publicly address a large gathering of people.
But then there are some gifts that God has given to me that He didn’t give to them. So it’s important for us to realize that God intentionally distributes gifts, and each person’s role matters. So instead of feeling resentful, we should celebrate others’ strengths and find inspiration to uncover and nurture our own unique gifts.
And it’s not just about us… it’s about encouraging everyone around us to use their gifts. Imagine being part of an incredible team with many highly skilled athletes, all contributing in their respective roles to win the game. This is how we should look at each other on God’s team. We become a source of inspiration for each other, creating an atmosphere where everyone feels empowered to bring their strengths to the arena. We’re not competing against one another, but complementing each other.
John 14:12 is essentially an invitation to a deeper, more purposeful spiritual journey. It’s about understanding and embracing our individuality within the larger body of Christ. So recognize, use, and encourage the gifts. We’re part of a great collaboration that aims to glorify our Creator collectively.
Questions Worth Considering
1 Have you identified the gifts God has given you? Take a moment to write them down and then think about how He would have you use them.
2 In what ways do we sometimes compare the gifts God has given us with those He has given others?
3 What are some ways in which we can appreciate and encourage others to use their God-given gifts without feeling jealous or inadequate?
Former Blackout Artist 