What is your role in the Kingdom? Specifically, what are you uniquely gifted to do? I’ve recently been mulling over the concept that we all have the same command, but each of us have been uniquely gifted as to the ways we go about accomplishing that command. Every one of us is called to go and tell others about Jesus, to lead them to Christ and then to disciple them. We are told to go to the ends of the earth teaching about Him and demonstrating His love. Every follower of Jesus has the responsibility to feed the hungry, give water to those who thirst, clothe the needy, visit the sick and to care for those less fortunate than themselves. The orphans, the homeless, the discarded children from broken homes, the widows, and the single mothers are to be our focus. We are to love God with all that we are; He is to be everything to us. Finally we are to love everyone else the same way that we love ourselves; we are to put their needs before our own.
That is essentially what it means to be a follower of Jesus. In one paragraph we see all that we are supposed to do with our lives. It’s so simple. Following Jesus is not about a list of “do not’s” but rather a list of “do’s”. The Western church has become known more for what we are against than what we are for. Modern Christianity is more famous for its list of restrictions than it is for its charitable acts. This is antithetical to what Christ intended for His followers, and it is the polar opposite of the way we must live.
We know what to do, so the only questions that remain are “how will we live out our calling?” In what way will we use our unique talents and personality traits to do the work Jesus commanded us to do? The choreography of the cosmic dance orchestrated by God must be a thing of beauty to observe from Heaven. All of our unique expressions freely applied in His service, weaving back and forth in concert with one another. When we are all doing the things we should be doing, the resulting performance must be an amazing sight to behold. Unfortunately I’m sure that more often than not, our dance more resembles that of a kindergarten ballet, a chaotic sea of aimless movement teetering ever so closely to being out of control. It is only when we come together in unified purpose, when we begin to take our cues from the director, that our aimless flailing is turned into beautiful dance.
One of the beautiful mysteries of our mission is the way each of us has been given unique and specific gifts, yet we are urged to “diligently keep the unity of the Spirit” (Ephesians 4:3). With all of the freewill and individuality that God has placed within us all, His goal is that we might use all that diversity to form one complete picture. Much like a puzzle that depicts a beautiful mountainside, the individual pieces do not convey the majesty of the final scene. We must never be proud of the gifts we possess, because each is made more beautiful when fitted together with the gifts of another. We can achieve a little on our own; we can achieve much when working together with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
How have you been uniquely gifted? What role has God given you to play in His grand design? Think back to your childhood, what sort of things were you passionate about? What excites you? These are great clues to the gifts God has placed within you. He gives us passions and interests that are uniquely blended on His canvas. Don’t waste what God has given you, don’t refuse to play your part in His masterpiece. You were created for a purpose and you are alive to fulfill it. The stage is set; the Director awaits. Join the ensemble; play your role. Dance to the rhythm He has defined in you alone, for the Glory of the One who sits on Heaven’s throne.