"We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness."
(Romans 12:6-8)
Everybody has a purpose. Each of us has been blessed by God with "gifts" - things we were created to do/use/share. Some of us figure out what our "gifting" is early in life... while others take a bit longer.
In Romans 12, Paul echoes this. He lists a few "giftings": prophecy, ministry, teaching, generosity, exhortation, compassion & leadership. Most of these he connects obvious traits:
- prophecy --> faith
- teacher --> teaching
- giver --> generosity
When I was in college, I got fired from a summer fun director position precisely because I wasn't diligent. I missed some important details that I hadn't even thought about. Things fell through the cracks. I don't think I was lazy. I just wasn't adequately prepared. I didn't know what I needed to know. Diligence is the key. As a UMC pastor now, I realize I have to work extra hard at diligence. It doesn't come naturally to me (at least in terms of administration). But it's a necessity for a leader. Being comfortable "in front of a group," isn't enough. Having charisma isn't enough. Great ideas & vision isn't enough. Diligence is the key.
Pray for me! lol
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