MY PINKY

MY PINKY

On the last play of the game I faded back to pass. As I followed through with the pass, I felt intense pain in the pinky finger of my throwing hand. It wasn't a pretty sight when a took a look at my finger. I won't even try to describe it.

My poor little pinky was broken and my career was over. (This is where you are supposed to laugh).

Although I am right-handed and it was the pinky on my right hand that was broken, I didn't think too much about it. It's just a pinky, not my thumb or middle finger, so I won't be hindered too much, I thought. Was I ever wrong! It was difficult to write and I got the worse shaves ever because I couldn't hold a pen or pencil or a razor that well. I came to realize how important my pinky actually was!

My broken pinky brought to mind the word that Paul wrote to the church at Corinth.
“For the body itself is not made up of only one part, but of many parts. If the foot were to say, "Because I am not a hand, I don't belong to the body," that would not keep it from being a part of the body. And if the ear were to say, "Because I am not an eye, I don't belong to the body," that would not keep it from being a part of the body. If the whole body were just an eye, how could it hear? And if it were only an ear, how could it smell? As it is, however, God put every different part in the body just as he wanted it to be. There would not be a body if it were all only one part! As it is, there are many parts but one body. So then, the eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" Nor can the head say to the feet, "Well, I don't need you!" On the contrary, we cannot do without the parts of the body that seem to be weaker; and those parts that we think aren't worth very much are the ones which we treat with greater care; while the parts of the body which don't look very nice are treated with special modesty, which the more beautiful parts do not need. God himself has put the body together in such a way as to give greater honor to those parts that need it. And so there is no division in the body, but all its different parts have the same concern for one another. If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it; if one part is praised, all the other parts share its happiness. All of you are Christ's body, and each one is a part of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:14-27

Every believer has been given gifts by our Lord that we should use for His glory and to bless others. Never downplay your significance in the body of Christ and use the gifts the Lord has blessed you with.

Bible commentators suggest that there are as many as 19 spiritual gifts that are mentioned in the New Testament, as recorded in Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:1-14, and Ephesians 4:11. I believe also that we have gifts given to us that are not mentioned in the Bible. For example, I have been told many times by both believers and unbelievers that I have a gift to make them laugh. I always tell them that it is a gift from God and it is one of the reasons why the Lord put me here on this earth. It thrills me when I make someone laugh or smile and I believe that the Lord is glorified.

That may be your gift too. If so, don't bury it, use it!

Many times the gifts that we receive from the Lord are set aside like a child does on Christmas morning. Much money is spent to bring happiness to a youngster and after opening their gifts you might find those young ones playing with empty boxes or wrapping paper.

If you know what your gifts are or when you find out what they are, use them for the glory of God and to bless others. Don't bury your gifts. Don't be playing with the boxes and wrapping paper when you can have great joy using what God has given you.

Regardless what your ministry is in the body of Christ, you are an important member of the church. You are needed. You may not be the pastor or a Sunday School teacher, but your prayers are needed and welcome. Your organizational gifts are a blessing to your church. Your gift to speak to strangers about the love of Jesus is a great gift; not everyone is able to talk to strangers. Perhaps you have a gift to teach children about the Lord or if you have the ability to touch the heart of an elderly person—use your gifts!

We were all put here on earth for a reason. All of us have been called by the Lord for a particular work. Let's use those gifts and talents that He has blessed us with to honor the Lord and advance His kingdom on earth.
Lord bless you as you serve the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords! Amen!

If you don't know what your gifts are ask the Lord to show you what they are. Surely He wants you to know what He has given you so that you will use it to glorify His name and bless others.