Grace in its Various Forms

By: Carol Crocker

1 Peter 4:10

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 

We rarely have any idea of the full impact of our gifts, no matter how large or small. Most often, we are the planters of seeds, not the reapers of the harvest.

Some of us have apparently very small gifts. I have a friend who likes to bake cookies and to decorate rooms; seemingly, not much. But she bakes cookies for the youth program at her church and has helped several friends who were at their wit’s end to arrange their homes in a delightful and welcoming way. I have another friend who loves to have parties in her home and gather her friends and family around her table. Another friend is simply upbeat and makes everyone around her feel good. Yet another friend knows just how to attend to a sick person, can anticipate his or her needs, and is wholly present to that person. And another friend is a major church leader who has had to stand for the truth and lead his flock to safety. He is facing the wrath of hell for his faithfulness.

All of us have gifts — some apparently small and some seemingly huge. When our gifts are from Christ, none is small. Each has its place in building the body. My friend the church leader would not know how to bake a cookie, but the children who are thus served are brought into the loving fold of Christ’s arms.

TAKE THE CHALLENGE: Reflect on the gifts God has given you. Do not reflect on whether these gifts are great or small. Instead, prayerfully consider how you can best put each one to use for the glory of God.