THE MISSING PIECE
One of my favorite past-times is to sit around the card table and work a puzzle. It is so exhilarating to take a bunch of puzzle pieces and one by one piece it all together. I can work for hours looking for that “one” piece. Maybe it is the piece that is green on the bottom with a little shade of yellow to the side. Certainly, I can locate that ONE little piece. (ha ha) Such joy I feel when I finally find that special piece.In fact, those around me, watching TV or doing something else in the den, will most likely hear me say “aha ….I found it!”
The body of Christ can often resemble a large jigsaw puzzle. When the pieces are dumped out of the box onto the table, it seems like the pieces are jumbled up with absolutely no sense of order. Slowly, as the different shapes are examined, it is revealed just how certain pieces join together.
As one part is connected to another, the “big picture” gradually comes into focus. We begin to see how each of us have a specific part in the Kingdom and how each “piece” is important.
Everyone in the family of God has been given a specific gift. This gift could be teaching, music, leadership, writing, fellowship, even the gift of compassion. The list is long. How frustrating it is to me when I see someone who is clearly gifted and not using the gift God has given them. This happens sometimes for different reasons: they don’t want, they have been hurt in the past, they are happy doing what THEY want to do, they don’t realize what their gift is.
Some people also think that someone else will step up or can do it better. Whatever the hesitation is for not using the gifts God has entrusted us with, the end result is: A MISSING PIECE IN THE PUZZLE!
It is important to remember that every gift is a gift from God and each one is significant for His purposes. When we fail to contribute our gift, in a sense, what we are doing is withholding necessary pieces to complete the “big picture”. The big picture being completing the body of Christ!
1 CORINTHIANS 14:12 “Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.”
God has entrusted each of us with a unique gift that will strengthen and inspire the body of believers. Help us to complete the work before us by inserting your piece of the puzzle. You will be exhilarated and we may even hear you say, “aha…I found it!!”
Dear Lord…I am relying upon Your grace and I am trusting You for the gifts that You have given me. Help me to use these gifts for Your glory! -AMEN
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This was a great example. You DEFINITELy have more patience than I do! 🙂
When each of us in the Body of Christ uses our spiritual gifts, it is just like that–a puzzle put together for the grand viewing of others. Thank YOU!
I wish I had the patience to do puzzles…loved how you tied it in with gifts. Great devotion, Laurie!
I have found that it is always much easier to put the pieces together when we look at the picture of the finished puzzle on the front of the box that the puzzle came in. If I keep looking at that picture then I seem to be able to see where the pieces that look similar to a place in the picture fit quickly. If I just keep looking at the pieces and try to fit them together on my own without the help of the picture, my progress is extremely slow. Actually, without that picture as my guide, it is nearly impossible to bring the puzzle together.
What a good analogy to the body of Christ as the puzzle and Jesus is the picture on the front of the box. If we keep looking at Him then we will see where we fit into the puzzle, or body, in a much quicker way than if we just keep looking at ourselves and try to fit in somewhere without the revelation of Jesus as our guide.
What an excellent reminder to use the gifts the Lord has given us. I loved how you used the missing puzzle piece as an example too. It illustrates what happens when we’r not obedient to use what we’ve been given.
It’s easy to wish I had other gifts like the ability to sing beautifully. But then I realize that I am not honoring God and thanking Him for what He has given me. The body of Christ needs each one of us and it works so much better when we’re all faithful.
Great post Laurie!
Thanks Laurie. I have friends, for example, with amazing singing voices and they worry about grandstanding if they use their gift for God’s glory. In fact, if you know you have gifts, there’s often the worry that you’re doing it for your ego instead of for God.
But anything that can help a person turn to God or help strengthen a person’s faith faith is a work that glorifies God. So let us all “strut our stuff” and praise his name! Allison
Great post friend. It is amazing how God uses us all differently. Sometimes it is easy to feel “less than” when we see how gifted someone else might be, but each of us are a part of the body — each part needed.
I pray we will all use our gifts for His glory.
Blessings to you!
Such a great post sweetie.
I love working puzzles, great analogy. we all have a part to play, and when we take that step in Faith God will do the rest.
Thanks for sharing, God Bless.
Deb