Romans 12:6-8 The Same Yet Different
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us If your gift is, prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, then do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully” (NIV).
The five roses above are alike. They are all miniature roses, but they are all obviously different. No two are the same, but each one is beautiful in its own right. We, in the church of Christ are similar, in that we are all alike, but we are all different. Each of us shines with the light of glory of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We are all alike in that God loves each of us the same, and Jesus paid the same price for each of us.—death on the cross of Calvary.
In the church, we are all different. The Holy Spirit has endowed us with different gifts because we are called to different missions. Once He calls us for a task, He gives us the special abilities to perform the task, and He grows the abilities as we use them, so that we get better and better and are of more and more use to His Kingdom as we grow in them. There are certain gifts needed in each church, and some churches may have different combinations of gifts in their membership. Because of our differences, our churches have different personalities and different specific assignments.
Ask God to show you your gift, and then ask Him to develop it in you. Then allow Him to fit you into your church in the way that will help your church perform its assignments in the best manner it can. Together we bring glory to His name.