As I’ve been praying over this new year, one passage of scripture keeps coming to mind: 

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:3‭-‬8)

Humility is strength, not weakness. True humility is honest evaluation, not condescension. We have been given gifts to serve others and in the serving, become more authentically ourselves.

Too often I have lingered long in the locker room, feeling awkward and unsure, afraid to enter the game.

When God appeared to Moses and told him that he would rescue his people from slavery in Egypt, Moses had all kinds of reasons why God should choose someone else. Finally God asked him, “What is that in your hand?” It was his shepherd’s staff. God went on to do many mighty miracles through that staff and Moses’ obedience.

 So what is in my hand? A pen. What is in yours? A spatula? A microphone? A calculator? A towel? A hammer? The gifts described in the passage are not all for the up-front and popular people. Encouragement and mercy aren’t flashy, but one caring word whispered in the ear can pull a soul back from the brink of despair. 

We are all designed by our Creator on purpose, for purpose.

I step out of the locker room and scan the field, wondering how I could ever make a difference in the game. I bend to tie my shoe, analyzing. Delaying. My Coach sees me and smiles; beckons. Straightening, I draw a breath and step into the game.