Different Gifts, Same Spirit
As Christians, when we submit our lives fully to Christ, the Holy Spirit moves within us powerfully for the good of all the Body of Christ and the world at large. In two different epistles, Romans and 1 Corinthians, Paul speaks of these varied Holy Spirit-bestowed gifts.
Interestingly, these passages both appear in chapter 12 out of a total of 16 of each epistle. I imagine Paul dictating these letters, pausing and saying to the scribe, “How many pages do we have so far? Ah…time for a discussion of spiritual gifts!”
The Gifts
The gifts Paul speaks of differ slightly between one epistle and the other. In Romans, he lists prophecy, ministry, teaching, extorting, giving, ruling, and showing mercy. In Corinthians, we see prophecy, and teaching/ministry/extorting (listed as wisdom and knowledge this time). However, Paul goes out on a limb here and tosses in working miracles, healing, discerning spirits, speaking in tongues and interpreting tongues. He also throws in “faith” for good measure.
I’m not here to explain all these gifts and their usefulness/application….this time at least. The key takeaway is that there are so many that even Paul can’t keep his list straight. Most importantly, they all come from the same source (the Holy Spirit), and it isn’t up to us which one(s) we get.
All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
1 Corinthians 12:11 (NIV)
Enter the instruments…
When I think about spiritual gifts, I think about them more in terms of the orchestra of God.
There are the violins. They get the melody. In the spiritual gift department, they are the ones you hear the voices of the most: the ministers, healers, teachers/preachers, prophesiers, speaking in tonguers.
The violas take the melody now and again, but are a little less flashy than the violins. Perhaps they lead Bible Studies, run ministries at church, keep the church budget balanced, etc.
Then there are the cellos. Their music is hauntingly beautiful. They may occasionally take the melody, but most times, they provide stellar support to the violins and violas. They are the counselors, prayer warriors, givers. They are giants of the faith. Though they don’t “stick out” as much, they are vital to the sound of the orchestra at large.
Finally, there are the basses. Almost never getting the melody, without them, there is something missing. These are the unsung heroes/servants, those who keep the violins and violas in check/balanced. They might be the ones who keep the church clean, serve meals to those in need, hit their knees for their brothers and sisters, and provide just the right words of wisdom exactly when they are needed.
Making Music Together
Note: My mom is a music teacher, so I enlisted her to pick out the videos to accompany this post.
Two Violins
I’m a violin. Not a violinist (my kids play violin, I play piano). I preach/write/etc. My mentor, Bill, is a violin and has been instrumental (see what I did there?) in helping me to serve God to the best of my ability. I thoroughly enjoy spending time with him, but I am exhausted by the end of it.
I have another friend who is also a violin. I call it a fiddle, he calls it a violin, and we argue about what most people probably think are trivial issues for hours. We make each other stronger in the process and I value the relationship we have. Heck, sometimes we even make beautiful music together.
When you have two violins playing together (if it’s not teacher and student), it’s typically in a duel-like fashion, one trying to outdo the other. Super fun, and a tad wild. Without a solid bass to accompany them though, the sound gets old fast.
Violas
“Don’t write about violas,” my oldest (12) said when I told him about this post. “They’re just wannabe violins. They do nothing but add noise.”
I disagree. I think violas are a bit less abrasive than violins, more balanced perhaps. They harmonize beautifully with the violins and add a depth of sound to the overall orchestra that would be missing without them. I’m not a viola, but I think they rock. I am friends with a viola or two. They wear me out, but not as much. Our discussions aren’t as heated. It’s just better.
Cellos and Basses
My favorite ministry partners are cellos and basses. I know a few incredible cellos who I go to when I need sound advice or want to spend time with someone and not need a nap afterwards. In addition, they are there for me when I “bottom out” in ministry. They are prayer warriors.
“Hey, I’m having a tough day. I could use a boost.”
Ten minutes later…
“Praying for you and sending love!”
Thirty seconds after that, I’m back in action, my cup overflowing. If you’re a violin and you don’t know a cello, you’re missing out.
Finally, though I only work directly with one bass, I can attest to the power of a violin/bass ministry pairing. Just being around a bass-type can leave a violin-type feeling calm and recharged.
Playing Your Part
I’m a violin (maybe a second violin, but a violin nevertheless). I need other violins and the occasional viola to challenge me, refine my technique, and sometimes put me in my place. But even more so, I need the cellos and basses for balance, support, and wisdom.
So, figure out what gifts the Spirit has blessed you with. If you’re a violin or viola, seek out those cellos and basses. Ask them to pray for you; listen to their quiet wisdom. And, if you’re a cello or bass, know that we see you and know that it is really you who have the “better part” (Luke 10:42). For God’s sake (literally), pray for us.
All joking aside, all of our roles are essential in God’s eyes and equally valued. And the most beautiful music happens when we play together as one.