Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Romans 12:4-5, NIV)
Golf clubs, as has been for many decades now, remain one of those places where a group of governors runs the show. This is true if whether you belong to a high-end private club or if you are part of the men’s or women’s club at your nearby muni. This board of governors makes decisions about finances, membership, course development, employees—quite a bit, actually.
Alongside this structure is another truth. Some members make perfect sense to step up the ranks and serve as treasurer, secretary, president. But others—well, the longer you can keep them content just circuiting the course or paying their bar tab, the better. Their “contribution” to leadership wouldn’t help anyone, really.
Unfortunately, we might be tempted to make the same assessment of some who confess to be followers of Jesus. They’ve taken up the verbiage—“yes, I’m a believer”—but they’ve made no real effort toward maturity. And to put them in a place of leadership would only add to the frustration of others.
But when we read the words of Paul about the body of Christ, as he wrote them to both the Romans and the Corinthians, we recognize that we do not have the luxury of writing off “the lazy ones.” All who are part of the body of Christ are meant to contribute to his body. In fact, they are gifted by the Holy Spirit to contribute!
What we must be doing then as those who would progress to greater maturity in the faith is twofold. First, we must consider our own giftedness. It is important here not to get caught up in comparing ourselves to others we deem to be more spiritual or to those who have gifts we wish we could have. God gives as God wills, and the gift he has given you to use in helping others in his body is the very gift he wants you to have. So find your gift and resolve to use it.
Second, we must encourage the gifting in others. We do not minister to others well when we allow them to sit back in the cart, as it were, and just come along for the ride. The Christian life is an active life, and one where we each do best when we do what we are given to do. So take a good look at your brothers and sisters, consider what gift the Spirit has given to them, and challenge them to use it for God’s glory and his people’s blessing.
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Jeff Hopper
February 12, 2016
Copyright 2016 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.