Reflections On Service Part 3

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 miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and 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 with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. (1st Corinthians 12: 27-31)


Happy Thursday Good Shepherd! I pray that you are blessed in the Lord and empowered for His service. Last time we looked at the different ways that we can all serve the church and how God equips us for those works. Today, I want to talk to you about dreaming big. Scottish reformer John Knox is said to have prayed to the Lord “Give me Scotland or I die.” This prayer wasn’t showboating or arrogant. Instead, it was a reflection of just how much faith Knox had in his God. I think far too often we look around at the world and put ourselves into boxes.The world wants us weak, ineffective, and off target. God wants us to have big desires and seek out the higher things that He has for us. 

We may not all possess the gifts described in our scripture today. We will not all have Billy Graham style crusades springing up everywhere we go. We all can pray and ask the Lord to give us these great things. On the ground floor, I think we start simply by praying “Give us New Orleans.” Maybe we can add a “Or I die.” if we want more pizazz. We absolutely need gifts of teaching, helping, administration, and other “normal” church service, but we also need the higher things. It isn’t our place to exist solely in a state of survival. We need to thrive. God has put us where we are for a reason, and so I ask you to desire the higher gifts of God. Pray that He would reveal to you His plan and vision for you and for our church, that we may reach the great calling He has given us. 

Your Brother in Christ, 
Ashton Hutchinson