When I was first saved, it was the early 1970s, and I remember seeing Billy Graham on television. “I want to be like him,” I thought to myself. I was on fire for the Lord and couldn’t wait to tell others about Him. Unfortunately, my efforts to convert my elementary school classmates failed miserably, and I found my middle school friends didn’t really want to hear about Jesus or the virtues of the Ten Commandments, either. I became discouraged and began to think that, because I wasn’t a successful evangelist, perhaps I wasn’t a very good Christian.

Many years later, serving in adult Sunday School leadership, I began to really understand the message of 1 Corinthians 12 how each member in the body of Christ is gifted differently, yet each role is just as important. I love how Paul uses the human body as an analogy to describe the futility of trying to be something we are not, as we seek to serve the Lord.

“And if the ear should say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.” (1 Cor. 12:16-18)

As I grew in fellowship with other Christians, I began to see how God was using each of us. One person, with the gift of hospitality, hosted the class social gatherings. Another was an excellent Bible teacher. Yet another, with the gift of administration, organized all of the class activities and reported attendance. I found my place as a greeter, to welcome newcomers and to encourage people to engage with the class.

Spend time thinking about ways you have served the Lord that brought you the most joy. What comes naturally to you? If you get stuck, there are some great quizzes online to help you determine your spiritual gifts; and remember, one gift is not better than another! Pray about how God has uniquely equipped you to serve Him, and when you discover your calling, pursue it! In Jesus’ words, it is better to serve than to be served, and you will be blessed by doing it in your own unique way.

 “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.” – 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NIV)

“A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.” – 1 Corinthians 12:7 (NLT)