For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them:
if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;
if service, in our serving;
the one who teaches, in his teaching;
the one who exhorts, in his exhortation;
the one who contributes, in generosity;
the one who leads, with zeal;
the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Romans 12:3-8 ESV
This week I walk around my yard with a horticulturalist, gleaning new knowledge about trees and water and grass. Talk with a technician about the air conditioning unit that died that day. Listen to a friend teach a group of women about the conversations of Jesus. Hug Ann Voskamp, author of the book of prose that changes the way I see life. Look in awe at 168 Facebook shares on the story of a blogging friend. Raise my arms in worship led on the guitar by my bike riding friend. Share conversation in line next to a mother of four who longs to play tennis in spare minutes. Laugh with three silly boys in the back seat of my van.
I marvel at the way He clothes each of them differently with grace and faith. So why do we compare ourselves?
May we rest in the knowledge that He gives each of us just the right amout of grace and faith, to accomplish what He calls us to do.
And that flower in the picture, it was a weed on the side of the road with the light streaming through it to reflect the morning dew.
Happy Sunday Friends!
Also linking with Fresh Brewed Sunday, Scripture and Snapshot and Still Saturday.
I actually drew in an extra breath when I saw that flower.
And I’m not a flower person.
Gorgeous, Shelly. (Not surprising…) And what a needed reminder. He makes us all we need to be.
I learned something new about you Lyla, that you are not a flower person. Which makes your comment even more meaningful. I am wrestling with God over this being enough. I am a bit bruised but I know who the winner is so I will accept it and give up – for today anyway.
Go ahead and let him pop the hip out, Shelly. 😉 He’s going to win, but the limp will remind you.
This will be our lifelong struggle — to know Him as enough. To continue to wrestle with that, it doesn’t make Him less enough than He already is. It just helps us in our knowing it.
Lovely photo, lovelier words. Thanks you for all of it. (did you literally HUG Ann V?? wow.) And thanks for stopping by my place, too. Appreciate the encouragement.
I did literally hug Ann. She spoke at a women’s retreat an hour and half from where I live. It was a glorious evening, in more ways than one. So grateful.
Stunning photo and great passage.
Thanks for stopping by Ruthie, appreciate your comment.
It was nice to meet you over on my blog, and now that evening has come I have my feet up and am enjoying a quiet moment to return the visit. The lighting on your flower is exquisite! And your chosen scripture is a favourite of mine. I am always reassured by the reminder that the gifts we have are not insignificant, however small they may seem — that each God-given ability is taylored to me and should be valued and put to use.
Carol, I have read those verses countless times but God shone a light on them differently this time for some reason. It was a revelation to me, this way He gives different measurements of grace and faith and that is why some have large audiences, some small. And how that really isn’t the point, the size of things, just obedience with the gifts he gives, that is the point.
That’s me: A weed with sunlight shining through. I try so hard not to compare myself to others, particularly other writers. It’s hard not to, when I long to write like Ann Voskamp, to have a forum for touching the hearts and lives of thousands or even millions of women with Christ’s love and grace. I literally dream of these things–have since I was a little girl. When my friends were sharing their recurring dreams of discovering themselves lost at school with no schedule, I was sharing mine of being in the middle of an arena filled to capacity with women sharing with them about the book I’ve just recently published and sharing God’s love with them. I picture them hearing what I say and drawing closer to God and knowing I am smack-dab in the middle of God’s will for me–His purpose He set in place for me when He knit me together. I’m 48 and I just don’t want to give up that dream. 🙁
That was the revelation I had when I chose these verses. That what we do matters and its not about size or numbers. He gives grace and faith in proportion to the way we will be used for the Kingdom. They are gifts and when we compare our gift to someone elses gift, it defeats the purpose. You have a gift and it is up to Him how it will be used. It may look completely different than you thought. But I know this, no matter how it looks, when we submit our dreams over to him, let go of how we think it should look, we walk into fulfillment. It’s all about His grace Lisa. Thanks for being so honest. I enjoy the conversation, you’ve made me think and process.
I loved how you captured the dew on the flower. The way it glistens is so beautiful.
It caught me eye when I was out on my walk. I had to go back and capture that beauty. I am often drawn to the way light filters through leaves.
What a beautiful little “weed”…how do we determine what a weed is anyway? It looks like a flower to me! Love your verse and thoughts on it.
I am a gardener so I am familiar with plants and weeds. But this one was just in some rocky soil along a busy road, it was obvious.
Twice this week I’ve used the word “enough” — and now this post. Me thinks this is the word of the week from the Lord. I/we best pay attention :). Thanks Shelly for being a part the body that speaks to me! “When is enough, enough?” http://wp.me/p1Ut5W-bf
Amy
Thrilled we can encourage each other Amy. Love those sacred echoes we get from Him. And the fact that you are listening to them says everything.
That idea that we are each a part of the body…it always amazes me. We need each other. We were meant to do life together. I see it each week in the Sunday Community…God fitting us together in comment boxes and images and scriptures he gives us to share. What an honor. What a gift.
I agree Deidra. I marvel at the way God speaks to us this way too. It is a gift to be a part of it. Thanks for providing the place to build community.
Sherry:
I love this: “May we rest in the knowledge that He gives each of us just the right amout of grace and faith, to accomplish what He calls us to do.”
And the photo is beautiful.
Many blessings,
Joan
Thank you Joan, so nice to meet you through the Sunday link-up.
I love that – a weed on the side of the road with the light (The Light!) shining through. What a beautiful lesson, tied in with your examples and the verse. There is so much amazing around us, thank you for having the eyes to see and share it with us!
I love that little weed too, the way it was illuminated like a night light waving and saying, “God placed me here just for you this morning, here I am over here.”
What a beautiful and gracious woman you are!
I am humbled Tereasa, thank you.
“May we rest in the knowledge that He gives each of us just the right amout of grace and faith, to accomplish what He calls us to do.”
Thank you Shelley…
This was a revelation to me for some reason Charina. In the context of writing especially. Grateful for peace that comes with the revelation.
So am I Shelley, so am I…
If we could only soak this truth in–that we are all created different to shed the dew of Him in our own unique ways.
So true Sandy. This whole writing journey has become a lesson in learning to let go and be content with what He has given me. Period. Not to say I don’t have days where the comparison bully shows up.
God has specifically asking me that questions — why do you compare yourself? What an amazing context to sit with this — I am letting your words and His Words soothe my soul!
I am learning this day by day, especially as I walk the road of a writer. I want to be fully content with just what he has given me, nothing more and nothing less.
I love the beauty in your post picture. To think a weed could show so much light and beauty. That’s me at times, just a weed hanging out by the side of the road. But also illuminated by the light and love of Christ. I am so thankful for that.
What a beautiful picture your words said here Barbie. Me too, I am that weed too.
It’s hard in our world to STOP comparing ourselves to others, especially others we want to grow into. My “gift” area isn’t the same as everyone else, but my Lord’s plans for me is just like everyone … to do what He sees is needed and to help us follow His training and instructions. Our personalities, gifts, goals are all different, and yet we can be respected by others simply b/c we obey Him. And, if others DON’T understand and respect, that doesn’t mean He doesn’t. The key: obedience.
Good sharing. Encouraging.
Yes Joanne, obedience to the call that is unique to each one of us. That is my goal anyway. And finding freedom in that the more the truth seeps in. So enjoyed your thoughts on this. Thanks!
This is a wonderful post! And it reminds me that He uses even the least of us!
I got this revelation about how he creates is in that verse I have read a million times. And I find that link-ups and prompts do that, make you think in a way you wouldn’t of before. So thanks Katie, for offering the link to your beautiful site on the weekend. It has been great getting to know you.