1 Corinthians 12:4–6 4Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
"Is that a bird?" "No, that is whistling, loud whistling."
I said those words as our church was singing hymns one Sunday morning. We had been blessed with a visitor to our small congregation but were a bit surprised by his emotional participation in the song service. While everyone else was singing, he was whistling like a bird sitting on someone’s shoulder in an old Disney cartoon. That ole boy was gettin’ it! I had never heard anything like it. This was such an unusual occurrence that the pastor inquired of the fella concerning his puckering performance. His reply, “It is my gift from God!” I commend that man for courageously using his talent for the Lord, although I am unfamiliar with the spiritual gift of whistling. I can truthfully say that he was filling a gap that nobody else was filling.
In today’s reading from the epistles, the Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthian church concerning God-given gifts for service. While whistling is not explicitly listed among them, there are several gifts discussed. I cannot examine these particular gifts in detail for the sake of time but would like to make one observation.
We are diverse by design!
Our great God has intentionally made us all unique. Some are speakers, while others serve in silence. All of us may be singers, but not all are in tune. Some have a remarkable ability to encourage. Some can build and repair structures. Some remember facts, while others have an uncanny way of fixing frowns. Some are good with numbers, some preach, some teach, some sing, some play instruments, some clean, some fix, some encourage, and yes, I suppose some whistle, at least one. (I have yet to meet another with his particular set of skills.)
God’s children are like snowflakes (hopefully not the easily offended kind they keep referencing on social media but the ones that fall from the sky); not one is exactly alike.
So, what does that mean?
1. Find your unique talent and serve the Lord with it.
2. Celebrate the diversity our good God has given us. Please repeat after me, “others do not have to be like me.”
3. Don’t compare yourself to others. Look up not around for your evaluations.
Have a great day, ya’ll, and whistle while you work. (If God has given you the lips for the task)
My 2021 Bible Reading Plan
March 24, 2021