Good morning!
Today’s scripture: 1 CORINTHIANS 12:4-11
4Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.
Have you heard about the project called “Playing for Change?” If you go on their website (playingforchange.com) it says that it is ” a multimedia movement created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music. The idea for this project arose from a common belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. No matter whether people come from different geographic, political, economic, spiritual or ideological backgrounds, music has the universal power to transcend and unite us as one human race. And with this truth firmly fixed in our minds, we set out to share it with the world.”
It’s pretty cool. Here is an example….
So they take these folks from all over the world, record them doing what they do best with what instrument they have, and it adds to the whole. If you do go on their website there are other videos as well. They started with “Stand by Me” and have added from there. I think this is pretty incredible! Other people have thought so too and so there are now benefit concerts, and more videos, and lots of conversations. What really makes part of it work is the freedom to create within the song. The website talks about how it is essential to make sure the musicians have the freedom to create freely within their space and within the song. This is all part of adding each one’s gifts.
I have come to realize that I love working in these kinds of teams in ministry. As long as their is a common goal and we are free to create within the song with our gifts, we find ourselves successful. I love being part of a co pastor team. Mark and I bring such different gifts to the table in ministry and yet we complement one another because we make sure that we are all part of the team headed in the same direction. Mark allows us to see things that I would have never thought about and I like to think that I bring ideas forward as well. Yesterday in worship team we were so excited to bring our ideas to the table to share. These ideas won’t work though unless we have the worship team on board because each person adds their gifts to the mix as we plan through our time together. You see how that all works together? It would be a very lonely experience to not have others gifts along the way….
Our scripture this morning, highlights that need for other gifts to come together. Paul highlights that we each have our unique instrument to add to the song and it takes all kinds to really move the Spirit along. In essence, we are all playing for change and add a unique sound to our common goal. What are your unique gifts today? How can you add to the whole?
Peace,
Courtney
Living in Violet 