~Darene Cole

“To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,  to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 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: 8-11

Picture an Olympic sprinter at the starting line—focused, still, waiting for the signal. In this sport, a few key rules are crucial. One is the false start: if the runner begins to move before the starting gun goes off, they’re automatically disqualified. Another important rule is staying in your lane: each athlete must remain in their designated lane for the entire race. Stepping outside that boundary can lead to disqualification.

The same is true in our spiritual lives. God has given each of us a unique lane—a specific calling and set of gifts. The Holy Spirit distributes these gifts purposefully, as He wills. But too often, instead of running our race with focus, we glance over at someone else’s lane. We compare and lose sight of our purpose.

Paul highlights a powerful truth in 1 Corinthians 12:15–20: “Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.”

So let’s run our race with focus, embracing the unique giftings and callings the Lord has given each of us. We are called to stay faithful to what God has assigned to us, while cheering and encouraging each other along the way. Remember, we are all part of one body—the body of Christ—united in purpose and empowered by the same Spirit!