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Designed for a Special Purpose

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
1 Corinthians 12:7

Before an architect designs a building, he asks, 'What is its purpose?' The answer to that determines everything. Before God created you, He decided the role He wanted you to play, and then prepared you for it. He also planned each day of your life accordingly. Listen: '...All the days planned for me were written in your book before I was one day old' (Psalm 139:16).

God would not give you talents and life experiences unless He intended you to use them. You have certain abilities given to you by God. You do not get to earn or choose them; they are gifts. Paul writes, ...He alone decides which gift each person should have' (1Corinthians 12:11). Because God loves variety, no single gift is given to everyone. If you had them all you would not need anybody else. That would defeat God's purpose of teaching us to love one another, serve one another, walk with one another, and depend on one another.

Your talents were not just given for your benefit, but for the benefit of others, just as their talents were given to benefit you. Listen: 'A spiritual gift is given to each...as a means of helping the entire church' (1Corinthians 12:7). God planned it that way. If others do not use their gifts, you get cheated. If you do not use your gifts, they get cheated. An unopened gift is worthless. That is why we are each commanded to discover and develop our spiritual gifts. So, what are you doing today to discover and develop yours?

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me today to recognize other’s gifts and to allow them to use them – and celebrate that they use theirs – because we need each other to fully function as your people. In Jesus’ Name, Amen