1 Corinthians 12:4

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

The PGA Tour tees off today at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando, Florida. Arnold Palmer gave so much to the game of golf throughout his life, but my favorite was the advice to “swing your swing.” Maybe I like it so much because I use that phrase as justification for my effective but never aesthetically pleasing swing. The scriptures reflect we are not all given the same gifts or talents, but every one of them are bestowed from above. Similarly, not all golfers are physically or mentally capable of having the flexibility or athletic ability to swing 120 miles per hour while on the perfect plane. Further, most golfers who do have the athletic ability also have a unique facet of their swing, i.e. Hideki’s pause in his backswing, Furyk’s loop, DJ’s super bowed wrist, and Arnie’s follow through. Each of us possess a “different looking” swing, but we have the same goal of getting the ball in the hole using the least number of swings. The Bible teaches we all are blessed with different gifts and talents. However, each was given by the same Spirit for the accomplishment of the same common goal – to give all the glory to Him above and to work together as one. In verse 7 of 1 Corinthians, we are told “[b]ut the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” There are no talents or gifts greater than the other, just as the hand is no more important than the foot. As much as I’d love to have a musical talent to sing or play an instrument, God did not bless me with either. I can hardly even play the radio! How boring would a church service be if we were all only given a musical talent or how long would the service be if we all were called to preach? Thankfully, the Spirit manifests Himself through us in different ways for the numerous talents needed for service. Don’t be discouraged if someone is given a seemingly more desirable gift or talent than yourself. Remember each is given by God to be used together as one body for the accomplishment of his will. My prayer is to thank God daily for the talents and gifts I am blessed to possess while never taking them for granted – always and only using them to uplift his glorious name!