“Then Saul clothed David with his armor. He put a helmet of bronze on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail, and David strapped his sword over his armor. And he tried in vain to go, for he had not tested them. Then David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.” So David put them off. Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd’s pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine.” 1 Samuel 17:38-40 ESV
David could not wear Saul’s armor, and you cannot operate in someone else’s gifts.
Our human nature can easily slip into one of comparison if we are not careful. Yet, that is not how God created us to operate. He created us each unique with unique gifts and callings. Just as the human body cannot operate with all hands, the Church Body cannot operate with all pastors. Each of us have been given gifts that are purposeful and important. Each of our unique gifts are designed to fill a unique void in the world.
A wise, godly woman once told me, “You will never be able to do it all. You are not gifted to do everything. If you are trying to do everything, you are hindering someone else from using their God-given gifts and talents”. Now, as someone who loves to do every single thing I can get my hands on, this hit me in the heart. Hard.
How selfish can I be to attempt to poorly do a task that another person is eloquently gifted in?
Who am I to intrude upon another person’s calling?
Who gave me the authority to reroute the gifts God gave someone else?
If I am so distracted by another’s purpose, am I fulfilling my purpose?
Just as David had to stand firm in what the Lord called him to, so must we. Stand firm in what the Lord has gifted you in so that you may wholly fulfill His calling upon your life. You have been given a unique calling paired with unique gifts that are designed to fulfill a unique void in this world.
Gracie Waldrop 