“You can do what I can’t do.  I can do what you can’t do.  Together we can do great things.”

I ran across this quote recently and thought how perfectly it describes the Lord’s church. As I consider my own church family, I can think of individuals who excel in teaching. They’re ready and willing and always do a wonderful job. I can think of others who are great at organizing. They’re usually around when any kind of event is coming up. I can think of women who are quick to volunteer to make food for those who need it. I think of members who always invite folks to worship, those who regularly set up Bible studies, and those who lift others up with their gift of encouragement.

A friend of mine recently said, “I can’t do it all!” I found it interesting that she wasn’t saying it by way of excuse, but rather out of frustration. I got the sense that she wished she could do it all. That way she wouldn’t have to say ‘no’ to anyone or any need. She was right. Not only is it true that she can’t do it all, but she shouldn’t try to.

Here’s how the Bible explains it:

• “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” (Rom. 12:4-7).
• “If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body” (1 Cor. 12:17-19).
• “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love” (Eph. 4:11-16).

We all bring different gifts, strengths, and talents to the table, which means…

Together Everyone Accomplishes More!