I don’t spend a lot of time and effort thinking about my toes. When my toenails need trimming, I trim them and when I bathe, I wash my feet. I wear socks for comfort and out of practicality. See? Even when I start talking about my toes, I end up lumping them together with both of my feet! My poor toes just don’t get the love and attention that, oh, I don’t know, my fingers or my hands get. You know what? When I stub a toe, it has my full attention. Not only that, after I stub a toe, I pay more attention to my toes and where I put them until the wounded toe is better, and then I forget about it again. How awful it is to be one of my toes! You know what, in the body of Christ, you can be a toe, and you are just as important as the person that is an eye.

One of the biggest problems, I think, in the body of Christ, is the desire to not be a toe, or God forbid, a toenail. In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he’s talking about the importance of spiritual gifts and unity within the body of Christ.

Paul has this to say about spiritual gifts.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

1 Corinthians 12:7 (NIV)

In the following verses, Paul goes on to give some examples of this manifestation of the Spirit. However, I want to take just a moment and look at one reason why these gifts are given. Many translations say these gifts are given for the common good and I like that. However, I like what the Contemporary English Version (CEV) says a little better.

The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others.

1 Corinthians 12:7 (CEV)

The key phrase here in the CEV is “serving others.” We’re given gifts by the Holy Spirit to serve other people. Paul didn’t write that some people get Spirit Gifts, and other people get a consolation prize. No, “the manifestation of Spirit is given to every man [person]” (KJV). If you’re a Believer, then this means you!

Something I find interesting about Spiritual Gifts within the body of Christ is that sometimes, people don’t know what to do with them. Some don’t recognize their gift and just sit on their hands, doing nothing. Others, don’t like their gift and do nothing, or even worse, stretch themselves out to areas where they aren’t gifted. Paul writes about gifts and lists some examples of them. From the power to speak words of wisdom to interpreting tongues, these are all gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:8-11).

I think we are given our gifts when we are born. When we are born again, those gifts become an anointing because of the sanctification through the blood of Jesus. The evidence I see of this is in the body of Christ. Some examples are those who were lawyers, accountants, and such in the world who now serve the church. I’ve also seen and heard amazing singers and musicians who were popular in the world walk into their anointing serving the church. While this doesn’t always mean what you did in the world you’ll be doing in the church, it does help when trying to figure out what your gifts might be.

The problem is some people might see certain areas as being “less” than others. For example, everyone sees the pastor, but who sees the person who cleans the bathrooms? Some people can tolerate a boring sermon but will never go back to a church with a dirty bathroom.

While some might be apostles, prophets, or teachers, and some work miracles and heal while some speak in tongues, we’re all important in the body of Christ. The best way to serve each other and find joy in our service is by doing what God created us to do. Sometimes it might take some time to realize what your gifts are, and that’s okay. Pray and ask the Lord to show you your gifts and then provide a way for you to use them. I know that He’s eager to hear from you.

Do you know God? God knows you, and He loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, right now, and He wants you to know Him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, be freed from death, and live eternally with Him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation today:

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.

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