Saturday, January 25, 2025  

Today's Scripture
1 Corinthians 12:12–31a

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — Jews or Greeks, slaves or free — and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot would say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear would say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. (NRSV)

Reflection

It’s hard not to be jealous. She’s so patient and creative with her kids. I can barely make it through the day without yelling. It’s hard not to be jealous. We started as managers at the same time, and he’s already moved up to vice president. It’s hard not to be jealous. It took me months to learn how to write code like that and it comes so easily to her. It’s hard not to be jealous. God has blessed the people around me with some incredible gifts.

But God has also blessed me with some incredible gifts — ones that I may not recognize as gifts or may take for granted. And while it’s hard not to compare, it’s in everyone’s best interest that we have different gifts. “But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.” The diversity of God’s gifts creates a beautiful, interconnected family. It’s a reminder that we rely and depend on each other.

Prayer
Lord, it’s hard not to be jealous. May I remember that you have blessed each member of your church with their own gifts to contribute. May I recognize and appreciate those gifts you’ve bestowed on others, and may I be grateful for and a good steward of the ones you’ve given to me. Amen.

Written by Nicole Spirgen, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

Devotion index by date | I’d like to receive daily devotions by email