The Apostle Peter, in a section of my Bible with a chapter titled, Living for God, wrote these instructions to church members everywhere:

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

Peter’s words sparks several thoughts. Encouragingly, we each receive a gift of some type. Peter speaks in the broader passage of hospitality and speaking, but possible gifts extend much further.

Underscoring everything, in all we do, we’re to love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

I’m to use my gifts in service to others, not keep them solely for my benefit. This assumes the reality that opportunities to serve surround us, and in my experience I’ve never seen a shortage.

Using my gifts reveals God’s grace in the world, a place desperately in need of the touch of compassion.

Finally, God’s grace comes in diverse forms. All sorts of people, all sorts of gifts, all sorts of grace. I can be myself, knowing that God’s gifted me in a unique way to serve the particular needs of others.

1 Peter 4 in week forty-two of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Ben White