Can you imagine a house built entirely out of windows? It might look cool, but think about what it would mean for the family living there: there would be absolutely no privacy, it would not be secure (can you imagine what a hail storm would do to that home?), and trying to regulate the temperature would be really tough!
 
Or what if car manufacturers did not have access to any materials other than plastic? Sure, vehicles would be lighter, but they would also be seriously unsafe.
 
It takes a variety…
 
We could go on and on, but the point is simple: just like it takes a variety of supplies to build a home or car, it takes all sorts of gifts to continue building the Body of Christ. Check out this text from 1 Corinthians:
Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it…. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you has a part in it. (1 Corinthians 12:14-18, 27)
 
You see, not everyone gets all the gifts–but everyone has some gifts. Not everyone gets all the gifts–but the gifts are all present in the Church. And believe it or not, that applies to YOU, too! You have gifts to share to help build up the body of Christ, as well as a part in the body that Christ is calling you to fill.
 
But what if you don’t know where your gifts fit?
 
Sometimes, it is tricky trying to figure out what your place is in the body of Christ. It’s okay to be unsure about how you fit in, as long as you aren’t giving up on trying to figure out where the Lord is leading you. Here are four ideas to help you discover your place in the body:
 
1. Pray. God created you to be unique, and has given you specific interests and gifts, so why not talk with Him about your place in the body?
 
2. Make a list of your interests. What are you passionate about? What fascinates you? What are the things you love to talk about?
 
3. Make a list of your gifts. What are your natural abilities? What do you already know a lot about? What kind of things just seem to “come naturally” to you?
 
4. Talk with your parents, pastor and youth leaders about your gifts, and how they fit into the body of Christ.
 
Compare the two lists you made regarding your interests and gifts. Where your gifts and interests overlap, you will likely find your place in the body of Christ. Remember, God can accomplish more than we can ask or imagine as He works through us, His people (check out Ephesians 3:20-21). How is the Spirit working through you, using your gifts and passions, to bring glory to the King?
 
Put it into practice:
 
Sometimes, using our gifts and passions can be hard; it requires a certain level of vulnerability to open yourself up to the Lord’s work in your life. This week, commit to doing something uncomfortable using the gifts and interests you’ve been given to glorify God, trusting in the Holy Spirit’s work to bless and guide you through it.
 
Published May 2013