In the world there is a vast sea of people, and as we know and try to remind ourselves, God embraces us unencumbered by favoritism and loves us all equally. But so often, when we are faced with a society day in and day out that focuses all its attention on the center stage individual, remembering to feel secure in God’s love is not as simple as it seems. When we look around us, we feel that there are really only a handful of truly talented people doing important things, an elite crowd that appears to have all the resources, leadership skills, natural ability, confidence, good looks, and popularity to do the work that really matters to God. Because the world rewards certain traits more than others, often those that are more outwardly dazzling, it can be tempting for us to be drawn into believing that these are the only types of people that God pays attention to or rewards as well. However, while making impressive speeches or being the lead singer is indeed important work in serving God, it is not the only important work that God takes delight in seeing His children carry out. Just because we may notice the person speaking at the front of the room more than we notice the person working behind the scenes does not mean the God forgets those of us that are less visible in our service. We must remember that God knows us all intimately and gave us all unique and different abilities so that we can work together as a body of Christ in service to Him. If we were all pastors, who would play the piano or sing in the choir, and if we all led Bible study, who would manage the accounts of the Church? As we meditate on the crucial role we all play, we come to appreciate the deep thought and love that our Father has given in His design of us as a part of the whole. We can begin to see that no one individual is more important than the next, no child has been left out or forgotten, the weak are just as important as the strong, and He has lovingly chosen a vital role for every member of the flock with deep concern. In truly perceiving this, we learn a new respect for our duty and obligation to serve Him, and we become filled with a new spark of enthusiasm and desire to give back in service. We all have special gifts within us, affectionately chosen just for us and lovingly bestowed upon us by our Father. As He tenderly formed us, He carefully lit the light of our talent and gently placed it in the basket of our soul for us to use in the world to glorify Him. As we feel inadequate compared to another person, we must remember that hidden in our basket is our own equally unique and special gift waiting to be put to work.  It is up to us to reveal this hidden light and let it shine brightly, to help our brothers and sisters and humbly give back to our Lord in service and exaltation.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies – in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:10-11

“If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell?  But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.” 1 Corinthians 12:17-20

“The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you,’ nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’ On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem weaker are indispensable, and the parts of the body we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor,” 1 Corinthians 12:21-23a