Celebrate Your Inadequacies

Romans 12:6-8

Paul continues to articulate this interdependence by listing a variety of gifts: We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the give, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. (vs. 6-8)

            Not long ago I had the opportunity of addressing a group of Christian leaders from several Protestant bodies in Canada. In referencing the truth of this passage I shared that we can “celebrate our inadequacies because where each of us is inadequate, God has gifted another to serve.” 

            The biblical definition of “humble” is knowing one’s self and knowing God. The gist of this is that we cannot truly know ourselves if we are not aware of both our gifts and our shortcomings.

            None of us can do everything… let alone, everything well. Instead, we have been created with wonderful mixtures of gifts and inadequacies. These limits to our abilities draw us into the giftedness of others. Like the human body is made up of diverse organs and attributes that depend upon one another (vs. 4-5), each of us relies on others. The health of the body is not in one aspect of the body at the expense of the others. Health is the over-all state of the entire body.

            Our spiritual health is the result of our relationship with Jesus Christ – and our willingness to share with one another and care about each other. When we are willing to support one another and the ministry of the congregation through the particular gifts that God has given us, our health improves as does the health of the church. In fact, recent studies on wellness and longevity make it clear that an active engagement in personal practices of faith and with a faith community add substantially to both the length and vitality of our lives.

            So, what are your gifts? Where are your inadequacies? Find a place to serve. Then let others serve you as well. Together – you and I and Jesus Christ – we can bring health to the world. And wouldn’t that be something worthwhile?!

Discipleship lesson: Our individual lives are blessed when we relate and work with one another in Jesus’ name.

            Lord Jesus, remind me that where I am inadequate, you have given me others to share their gifts. Then help me celebrate my inadequacies so that I can be open to your presence in the gifts of others. Amen