4 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. 5 There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. 6 God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.
7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.
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12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.
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27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.
~1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 12, 27 (NLT)
My mom is a quilter. I have watched her as she chose a pattern, calculated how much fabric she would need, and then thoughtfully picked out a variety of fabrics that coordinated with each other. I have observed as she carefully measured and cut each piece, and then patiently stitched the pieces together in a labor of love, that would eventually become a beautifully completed work of art. I have listened to stories of frustration about pieces that didn’t fit together properly, and about how she had to take some pieces apart and put them back together again, being careful not to cause any harm. If the pieces weren’t connected properly, or if any one piece was damaged or missing, the quilt would be incomplete.
My mom enjoys quilting, but the quilts she creates are not made just for her enjoyment. Each one is created for a purpose—a gift given to welcome a new baby, a token of appreciation to a friend, a cover for a bed, a way to preserve special memories, a means of fellowshipping with other quilters, a message of love to a special person, etc.
It occurred to me that the church is a lot like a quilt, stitched together with love by the Master Quilter. Each of us is a carefully chosen piece, cut into just the right shape and size to fit where we are needed. When we take our place, along with all the other pieces God has chosen, the result is a beautiful gift of love to the world.
We are not called to be part of a church just for our own fulfillment. The church is a community of followers of Christ, who have chosen to come together to act as God’s hands and feet to the world, and to deliver His message of love to all. Becoming a church that fulfills its mission, requires planning and hard work. It requires an understanding of and agreement about our purpose. We are called to work together toward a common goal.
We have each been uniquely gifted by God, and just like the pieces in a quilt, we are all needed. If any one of us is missing from the church, or chooses not to use the gift or gifts we have been given, the design will be incomplete.
I hope you have each found your intended place to serve as a follower of Jesus Christ. If not, I pray that you will find it. If you don’t feel like you quite fit, ask God to stitch you into just the right place. You have been gifted by God, and you are needed.
Don’t be a missing piece of the quilt.
So much is true in this message.
I never thought I was important until others pointed out to me that my service was important. Thanks to all who have encouraged me.