There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. (NIV)

When I was a kid, my dad would often have music playing in the background as we cooked or cleaned the kitchen. Sometimes classic rock, but usually it was a piece of classical music and often it was by Beethoven. That love of music spilled over into piano lessons for us kids, and then I eventually went to college for a degree in music. College was really where my musical ability flourished; I learned so much more than just the mechanics of notes and rhythm. I became proficient in playing together in an ensemble, how to follow a conductor, and make music, not just a decent sound.  

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See, a well-trained musician isn’t just going to pay attention to what they’re doing with their voice or instrument. They will listen to others around them and adjust based on what they hear. Whatever a conductor indicates, they will follow, whether it’s changing tempo or volume or something else.  

When believers, and the church as a whole, allow the Holy Spirit to guide and lead us, we function similarly to an orchestra with a conductor. Each orchestra member has a different role, a different function within the group. When everyone works together, it creates beautiful, harmonious music even though everyone isn’t playing the exact same notes on the exact same instrument. And, with the Holy Spirit “conducting” we can stay unified and in tune, working as one to glorify the Lord and his kingdom.  

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Just like in an orchestra, we as the church all have different roles and different gifts. And what a wonderful thing that is! Just a little later in 1 Corinthians 12:12-26, Paul gives another analogy of how we are all part of one body but fulfilling different roles. Some might be the head, others the feet, and others the hands, etc. Can you imagine a church filled with only people functioning as the head? We would have all the wisdom but no way to move anywhere. Or if we were all only hands? We’d be doing all the things but lack the knowledge of how to do it well.  

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Does all this talk of spiritual gifts make you nervous? Some of us may have grown up in a church where having spiritual gifts meant something big and expressive like talking in tongues, or maybe spiritual gifts were a topic completely avoided. Maybe your fear is that by listening to the Holy Spirit, God will ask you do something big and uncomfortable. And the truth is, he might, but he will never leave you nor forsake you (Deut. 31:6). Plus, isn’t being with God and doing something out of your comfort zone better than not following God’s will and staying stagnant in your relationship with him?

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What are your gifts? Where is the Holy Spirit leading you? If you’re not sure, try asking a mentor or a close friend to help you. Sometimes other people can see what we can’t see in ourselves. And when you do, don’t compare yourself to those around you, just like a violinist would never be compared to a percussionist! Remember, God designed us all uniquely, and just because someone’s gifts are more visible doesn’t mean that the behind-the-scenes ones aren’t just as important. You are precious, beloved, and cherished, because God created YOU!

Lord, thank you for giving us all different gifts and that we all get to play a different role in furthering your Kingdom! Help us not to compare ourselves with others but realize that you have a purpose and intent in each of the gifts given to us. As we lean into the Holy Spirit, let us become more in-tune with your will and calling on our lives. Give us the deeper life, the more fulfilling life that can only come through you. In Jesus’ name, Amen!