One Sunday morning in church, I was listening to the choir. I don’t recall the song, only that it was great as usual. I noticed that while a young lady sang a solo piece, one of the men in the back row was watching her. The thought crossed my mind (although I am certain it wasn’t true!) – Is he envious of her singing the lead? Did he wish he could be doing it? How ridiculous that would be! The song obviously required a soprano or alto for that part, not a tenor, baritone or bass.
I was reminded of the Apostle Paul’s comments in 1st Corinthians 12, about the different parts of the body and how they are all important but not interchangeable. It is better to know and understand the gifts God has given you, and develop them to their highest potential, than to waste time striving to be something or someone you are not.
Charles Spurgeon, in one of his devotional writings, pointed out that the tribe of Dan brought up the rear in the army of the Israelites as they marched. While they were the hindmost in the van, they were of the same army and held their banners high. It was they who picked up the stragglers and the dropped valuables.
In the church there are those full of vim, vigor and the Holy Spirit out in front, but there are also those of a “more conservative spirit” that come alongside the flagging brothers and sisters.
There are many roles in the church – and in missions – that go unnoticed, but they do vital work behind the scenes. In my 20 years as a missionary, I have occasionally felt the desire to get out in front and teach or preach, but the Lord has always said, “No, just get back in the office and get to work.” And, in doing so, I have been blessed in ways I could not have imagined.
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 NIV