Not all are given the same gifts

A while ago, while in discussion with Fr-Charles Butler on various tactics people have used historically and in modern times for evangelism, I was left feeling self critical. I thought of the brave missionaries who had been martyred for their faith, or the good men and women today who anchor call lines or pray in the rain outside sordid locations, or who work tirelessly at ministry by traveling with their show and testimony.  I even admire the dedication of those who stand on street corners and engage people in discussion (though whether or not I agree with their bent of theology depends on what they are teaching, lol.) And I do none of those things. In a moment of quiet prayer I relayed my feelings of being ashamed to the Lord, that I did not do as these people do, that the very idea of preaching on a corner, or in a traveling ministry, or in a foreign land makes me quake. What was I doing wrong? Why wasn't I a good enough Christian, why wasn't my faith strong enough?

Then a sense of calm, and light chiding, came to me. "Child," I heard deep within my heart, "not all are given the same gifts." An image came into my mind of the many birds of the air (though none were birds of prey)...of the noble cardinals and blue jays, who go fearlessly about, always with their songs before them. Of the swallows who migrate so far to reach a destination planted within them by time and nature. Of the cheerful sparrows who are found in the most urban of areas, going about their work, oblivious to all the dangers around them. And then of the small wren, who lives safe in a hedgerow, always singing her song, doing her daily business with such a cheerful, contented yet lively demeanor, never straying far from home. I understood then that I was made as a wren, to nest in the community and space which God had placed me, to be content doing what He put before me, with His song in my heart. That I am not the bold blue jay or striking cardinal, to loudly and boldly preach. Or the swallow to travel as God directs. Or the sparrow, to find my work in even the worst of urban areas, tirelessly casting light in that depressed climate.

I'm sharing this today because I imagine there are many of you who watch what others do and think, "Why aren't I doing that?" ....even though that activity may be directly opposed to your very nature. You may be contrasting and comparing your personal life and ministry (for every Christian has a ministry, we live it in our daily lives) and feeling as if you don't shine in comparison to others. But we are not supposed to compare ourselves to others, only to examine ourselves and see if we are doing what God has called us to do. If you have the personality and abilities to publicly preach or sing, then do it! If you have a heart for the urban neglected, then go! If you are the swallow who will travel for the Lord, then travel. If you are the sympathetic soul who will listen to endless calls, or pray outside sordid places, then do so. And if you are a wren, who wants to work locally with food banks, clothing closets, community and home ministries and with endless prayers then be content in that you are where the Lord placed you, and you are how the Lord made you. We are not all made the same, nor given the same gifts; be who God made you to be and do you work, whatever it is, for His glory....and be content and grateful.

Be blessed, my friends, and may you be a blessing to someone else,
Beth