Break out the China

“There is something unique about being a member of a family that really needs you in order to function well. One of the deepest longings a person can have is to feel needed and essential.” Fred Rogers

Our church is just one piece of the larger thing known as the body of Christ, but it is like a smaller person enveloped by the whole. We operate as a complete body in ourselves, but know that somehow we fit into the plan of God’s universal church. Each one of us in that body is gifted with unique gifts, chosen for us by our creator. That being the case, our gifts are to be cherished, grown and used. They aren’t supposed to be hidden away like a secret treasure.

When they get married, most people register for china. They painstakingly choose a pattern and fill out forms to identify which dishes they want, and let others know where the china can be purchased. They unwrap the gift of china with great joy, then promptly put it into a special cupboard where it seldom gets used. Dishes that are stored in a cupboard are not being used for what they were intended. They were made to be filled, used up and filled again. Neither china nor spiritual gifts are meant to be put away and brought out once a year on a special occasion.

I have a friend who used her fine china every day because in her words, “What was more special than your own family sitting down to eat together?” Using your God given gifts is like using your best china every day, because rather than just taking it out for company, you are actually sharing daily with the people you love the most. Like china, gifts should not to be taken out and dusted off once a year, but should be used so often it is nearly impossible for them to get dusty. 1 Peter 4:10 “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”
Using our gifts is one of the privileges and responsibilities of being a Christian and in belonging to the body of Christ. Each of these individual gifts works together with the others to serve in a meaningful way. We can function okay without all of the gifts, but we are meant to work together. Ephesians 4:16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

Check out your cupboard:  Are you gifts dusty like fine china or are they well-worn and used regularly? Does the body of Christ benefit because you choose to serve?  If the items in your spiritual gifts cupboard are a little dusty, you know it’s time. Break Out the China!