“For the body is not one member, but many…..But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.”  1 Corinthians 12:14, 18.

 “Once upon a time, the animals decided to organize a school.  They adopted a curriculum of running, climbing, swimming and flying.  To make it easier to administer, all the animals took all the subjects.

The duck was excellent in swimming, better than his instructor.  But he only made passing grades in flying, and he was very poor in running.  Since he was slow in running, he had to drop swimming and stay after school in running.  This caused his web feet to be badly worn, so he became average in swimming, but average was quite acceptable, so nobody worried about that—except the duck!

The rabbit started at the top of his class in running, but developed a nervous twitch in his leg muscles because of too much make-up work in swimming.

The squirrel was excellent in climbing, but had constant frustration in flying class because the teacher made him start from the ground up instead of the treetop down.  He developed a charley horse from over exertion and so only got a “C” in climbing and a “D” in running.

The eagle was a problem child and was severely disciplined for being a non-conformist.  In climbing classes, he beat all the others to the top of the tree, but insisted on using his own way to get there!

Moral of the story:  Each set of creatures has its own gifts in which it will excel.  A duck is a duck and only a duck.  It is built to swim, not to run, climb or fly like an eagle!  Eagles are beautiful creatures, but not in a foot race.  A rabbit will win a foot race every time, unless…an eagle gets hungry!”

Where has God placed you?  We all have different gifts, there is no other “You.”  “The eye can’t say to the hand, I don’t need you!”  And the head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”  Try going without your hands or feet!!  And don’t compare!  “Those who compare themselves with one another are without understanding.” 2 Cor. 10:12.  We all have a purpose in the Body of Christ, and each is needed!  There is ministry within the four walls to equip your church family, to build each other up and grown into maturity in Christ.  All are needed!  There is also ministry for everyone outside the four walls of the church building.  Our eyes should always be open to the lost, the wandering and the hurting who need to hear the message of hope and salvation that Jesus Christ brings.  Jesus ministered constantly to His disciples, but also exhaustively to all around Him who were lost and in need.

Where has God placed you?  Are you a young mom with small children?  Are you a senior who labors in prayer for the younger generation?  Are you a busy pastor preoccupied with his flock?  Are you a student?  God has you where He wants you to glorify Him, to be a light to your community and a river of hope to those around you.

Find your gift…use your gift…for one another…for Christ…for the glory of God!

Your friend, Jean