There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same spirit, there are different forms of service but the same Lord, there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual, the manifestation of the spirit is given for some benefit. 1 Corinthians 12: 4-7
Notice how many times in those three verses it says, “different” — different kinds of spiritual gifts, different forms of service, and different workings. It is clear God made us all different on purpose.
God is a personal God, and He created us exactly like He wanted to in His image and likeness. In the history of humanity, God never created two people exactly the same — not even twins! He gave us each different looks, different gifts, different personalities, different interests, etc. We can celebrate that.
God loves variety. Notice how many varieties of flowers, animals, insects, and trees that He made. There are more varieties than we can ever know about. Think of all the different kinds of people He created with different cultures and different personalities. God likes it this way. It is all good and beautiful.
Notice how different all the saints are. Joan of Arc and St. Therese of Lisieux led totally different lives. But they both led the lives they were created to live, and they continue to inspire us today.
The trouble creeps in when compare and compete with each other.
St. Catherine of Siena said, “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire. ” Isn’t that awesome! When we start trying to be someone else, we will fizzle out, and we will not set the world on fire. The light goes out.
The Holy Spirit wants to work through each of us so we can reach more people. Put all these wonderful people together, being who they were created to be, and you will have a blazing fire for all to see. Jesus said, “You (all together) are the light of the world!”
So don’t be tempted to be who you are not. God made you perfect in His image and likeness. What a wonderful gift of God you are!
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