The Whole Picture

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:11-12, 18-21; Ephesians 4:7, 11-13, 16

“Hi, Mr. Jarvis,” said Shane as he entered the elderly man’s room. His mother, a home health nurse, occasionally brought him and his little sister, Kimmi, with her to visit while she worked. “What puzzle are we putting together today?”

Mr. Jarvis smiled. “Well, young man, bring over my lap table and I’ll show you.” He picked up the small box on his nightstand.

“It doesn’t have a picture on it to go by,” Shane said.

“It’s more fun that way,” replied Mr. Jarvis. “We can watch the scene take shape as we put all the pieces together.”

Shane and Kimmi nestled out a spot for themselves on the bed and started helping with the puzzle. They were nearly done when Kimmi suddenly snatched up the three remaining pieces and scurried to the other side of the room, giggling proudly.

“Come back here with those,” Shane said. “We can’t finish the puzzle and see what the picture is without them.”

“Bring the puzzle pieces over, Kimmi,” Mr. Jarvis said gently, “and we’ll let you put in the last one.” But Kimmi shook her head and sat down in the corner.

“You know, this kind of reminds me of the body of Christ,” said Mr. Jarvis. “Even though all these pieces belong to the same puzzle, they each have something different to offer to the picture as a whole.”

“How’s that like the body of Christ?” asked Shane.

“God’s Spirit indwells those who trust in Jesus, giving each person in His church gifts that are unique and special to them,” answered Mr. Jarvis. “Only we can offer and share what our piece is, and to hoard it is selfish. Christ’s body is incomplete without it, and we keep others from being able to enjoy the gifts God has given us that help others see who He is.”

Slowly Kimmi returned and opened her hands. Mr. Jarvis divided the leftover pieces between the three of them, and they each took turns adding their piece to the puzzle.

“It’s a big fish jumping out of the water!” Shane exclaimed. He smiled, then cocked his head. “I wonder if I’m sharing my piece of God’s picture with others.”

“You sure are,” Mr. Jarvis said with a smile. “Every time you kiddos walk through that door.” Beth Anne Ingram

How About You?

Are you sharing the gifts God has given you with others? Wouldn’t you feel cheated if someone else wasn’t sharing their piece of God’s picture with you? He gave us our talents and abilities so others in Christ’s body—the church—could experience them and see His Spirit at work. Don’t keep your gifts to yourself—use them to give others a fuller picture of who God is.

Today’s Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Share the gifts God has given you