Whose race are you running?

Whose race are you running? Whose life is yours in comparison too? I woke up this morning reminiscing over a luncheon I had yesterday with a couple sisters of mine. One of our many conversations led us to talking about spiritual gifts and the way we compare our gifts to others within the Kingdom. It’s always a great thing when you can talk those things out and learn how to show others the importance of who they are independently from everyone else.

This life that we live in Christ is not a race between athletes, a beauty pageant to compare whose looks or clothes are prettier or more fashionable, nor is it a talent contest to see who can sing or preach better or even who can quote more scripture than others. I know even up to a few months ago I used to be very intimidated by another’s knowledge and their ability to quote more scripture then I could, but I am learning along with many others that God’s Kingdom is not in existence for God’s children to spend their energy or time trying to run someone else’s race. Stay in your own lane and watch the beauty and the gifts that God gave you flourish.

Many times growing up I have heard the comment that it takes a community to raise a child, well it takes a community of God’s children to continue to build His Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is not a competition, it’s not about who can sound more spiritual. It’s not about us at all, but it is about the Power of God within us. Every one of us inherit the same power, just different gifting’s, and not always will our gifts remain the same. Yesterday our Pastor spoke on that specific topic and reminded us that our gifts are given to us according to God’s will. 1Cor 12:11 But one and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each person as He wills. Could you imagine how far the Kingdom of God can go if we could just grasp that knowledge. For the most part we know it, but we don’t walk it out. One of my sisters made the comment during lunch yesterday that: What if one person who desired a specific gift had the courage to walk up to someone else who already possesses that gift and asked to be mentored in that area? Imagine how beautiful that would be!

The same spirit that resides in them also resides in us, we just have to have the courage to step out of our little comfortable place that we feel safe in and make it a point to allow God the honor of using us. He absolutely desires us to flourish in our gifts, that’s why He has blessed us with them. Our Christian walk is not about what our Pastors; Elders or leaders can do for us. Their job is only to guide and teach us along the way. We must be willing at some point to run our own races, to walk in our own gifts. I may not have the gift of singing, but I sure do love to Worship. Worship comes in many forms though, from singing to teaching, to helping, etc. I know that for now my gift is not specifically teaching, but my gift is to encourage those who are to walk in it. Although we are all teachers in one way or another. The point is: We all have our own races to run, we all have gifts that will possibly change from time to time, so dive into whatever that gift may be for you and begin taking steps into building God’s Kingdom.

Begin with little steps like volunteering in your church and community, or like our Pastor said yesterday; go up to someone that is on your heart and pray with them. Treat them to lunch, offer to babysit etc. Leadership is not about being in control; it’s about being a part of a team. It’s about making yourself available when others are in need. It’s about your willingness to serve whenever service in needed, but while you begin to walking in the calling God has called you for, remember to stay in your own lane and stop believing that you are less or greater than the brother or sister next to you. When you concentrate on other people’s gifts and abilities your focus shifts away from Jesus, who is the Author and Finisher of your faith.

In a race, when you take your eyes off of the goal, you can get tripped up! We all serve the same God and we’re all building the same Kingdom. So take some time in God’s word to get to know your Father and His will for your life and as your finding your way, hold another person’s hand along the way and begin building and growing as a team and walk in God’s grace as you go, because as God’s word say’s: there is no greater gift than Love.