There are different kinds of gifts but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. (1 Cor. 12:4-5)
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. (1 Pet. 4:10)
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. (Romans 12:4-6a)
WOW! Reading this puts everything into perspective. Can we walk away from our Spiritual gifts? Can we turn our back on what God is calling us to do? Of course we can. He gave us free will.
Jesus was the ultimate leader - He took on this leadership challenge. How do we know? Let's go back to when He was only 12 years old in Luke 2:41-50. If you don't remember that Scripture, have a look at it. Mary and Joseph, after walking a day into their 90 mile trek back to their home in Nazareth they found Jesus missing. They were returning home after Passover - one of the three feasts a year that all male Jews were required to observe in Jerusalem. They had to turn around and make that day's walk BACK to Jerusalem - then they went to all their familiar places - went to their friends and family living in Jerusalem - searched for THREE DAYS when FINALLY they find Him - in the temple courts - just sitting there with the teachers (Rabis) - listening and questioning them. They were amazed at what He already knew and how He answered their questions.
It was Jesus’ turn to be surprised when His parents displayed their concern after searching for Him. He told them, "I must be about my Father's business." WOW! Basically He was saying, "Hey! Mom / Dad - let the other kids go off and play - I've got a world to change . . . and it's SERIOUS business!" Business. Isn't that amazing?
Let's fast-forward to when Jesus was 30 years old. That's when He formally launched His ministry. He had a clear vision - He had a 3-year strategic plan. That plan included Him selecting and developing twelve disciples (in my vernacular . . . His Leadership Team). His strategy began locally and moved outwardly - first Jerusalem, then Judea, then Samaria, then the outer most parts of the earth.
Jesus didn't do it alone! He gave specific assignments to His followers - job descriptions, if you will. He led them. He taught them. He modeled the behavior He expected of them. When His followers did their jobs well - he commended them, praised them and rewarded them. When they didn't - he confronted them and showed them how to do it right. He didn't bully them. He didn't manage them. He led them and then He sent them out to do it again, but better this time. He did it all with love and compassion. His passion for the lost was so strong that He took His Father's "business" all the way to the cross.
He expects each and every one of us to put our best efforts into building His Kingdom here on earth. Thankfully, He said we would not have to do this alone. He promised to gift us, to empower us and to walk beside us.
BUT, we need to be serious about "our Father's business." We need to remember that doing that requires prayer, spiritual discipline, a dependence on the Holy Spirit. We also need to accept that we will probably have to pay a price for devoting our lives to building the Kingdom of God. Jesus did.
To me, this is one of the most beautiful benefits of reading / studying Scripture - we can ALWAYS listen to our Lord's message for us. He gives us comfort. He says to lift up our doubt - our fears - to Him. He will lead us and guide us. THANK YOU JESUS! "For such a time as this, you have been called." (Esther 4:14)