The Whole

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. 

Romans 12:6-9a NLT

Think about your circle of friends. Your core values - what makes you you - are probably very similar. You might even joke about them being your brothers from other mothers or sisters from different misters because you're a lot alike. However, unless you're a teacher or in the medical field, more than likely, you have different occupations. Your gifts and talents are different but may very well complement each other.

Are you ever envious of a friend's gifting or talent? You needn't be. God has given you your own. Leaders are not the same as teachers. Singers are usually not servers. Prophets are generally not great candidates for counseling or encouraging. They CAN be, but not usually. 

Don't be jealous, be thankful. What you may lack, your friend either has or can do. God gives us different gifts and models relationship so we'll know how it's done. It's together that we are the whole body of Christ. What do you bring to it? What is your part of the whole? Do you know?

Prayer:

Father,

          Open our eyes to see and recognize Your gifts and talents within our friends and within ourselves. Help us, O God, to use them to the best of You in us in order to further Your kingdom. THY kingdom come! THY will be done on Earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen