Oakwood Church Fresh Start Women's Devotional Encouragement for Today Hartland Delafield

Concert of Gifts
By Peggy Kleckner

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering god’s grace in its various forms.”
1 Peter 4:10

I was quite excited to be invited to a Christmas brunch held at our church last December. Not only would I have a relaxing time with a friend, I would also feel pampered. This women’s event is very special. Each table is laid with fine china brought from a woman’s home and that same woman sets the table and decorates it for the event. As you might imagine, each table is unique and pretty to look at, much less sit at! How could I not feel pampered?

As I delighted in the morning, I realized I was witnessing and enjoying a “concert” of sorts. It was a concert of gifts being played to God. There were women who had envisioned the day and created the atmosphere of warmth—from the invitation to the decorations. There were women who baked, women who laid out the tables, women who performed in the play, women who sang, women who played instruments, women who cleaned afterwards, women who helped in lots of different ways. Even the men were part of the concert as they willingly served as the event’s waiters. One of the cutest gifts was the young girls who flitted and twirled on cue between the tables as angels, fitted with wings and white garments. I sat back in my chair and enjoyed the concert. Each gift coming on to the stage of the event playing her part, not jealous of the others, just playing to an audience of One. They used what they had been given and played out the joy in their hearts.

I love to watch the body of Christ work in harmony. What a joy, what a pleasure! Imagine the joy it must bring to the Father. Imagine what the music sounds like to Him. As everyone played out their gifts with the grace that was given to them, the concert was heavenly.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What gifts have you been given by the Lord? How have you been using them?
2. Are you using your gift in concert with others, or do you always want to play a solo?

FURTHER READING:
1 Corinthians 12:4-6, Romans 12:1-8

Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children - two sons and two stepsons. She is the Co-coordinator of Oakwood’s Wednesday p.m. Bible Study.