“In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well…”
~ Romans 12:6 NLT

I had just started leading a small group of teens. This particular group had another leader who had been investing for 3 years. Going in, I was determined to be the best that I could be. I had plans and ideas that I was ready to put into place (notice the amount of “I’s” in that sentence?).

I am the kind of person who puts every ounce of energy into something. I wanted to see the girls outside of small group, but, unfortunately, my co-leader had a lot on her plate and wasn’t able to.

As the months went on, I began to feel frustrated and upset. My co-leader didn’t do things like I did, and I finally became frustrated enough to ask someone in the ministry about it. Boy, I am so glad I did.

“I want her to be more involved.” I said. The wise woman paused for a second and made a powerful statement that seriously changed how I looked at service. She said, “It’s important to remember that people don’t always serve in the same ways.”

I went to that woman expecting her to change my co-leader, but when the conversation ended I felt God changing me. You see, without realizing it, I had become prideful. Frustrations ran high when she did not meet my expectations.

God made everyone unique. 

In sports, everyone plays a different position, and even though all those positions look a little different, they still work together to achieve the same goal.

Once I dropped my expectations, started embracing her gifts, and began to focus on how God created her, I began to appreciate my co-leader more. I began to see that our differences caused the group to have more balance. Things became WAY less awkward, and it didn’t seem as hard to work together. Without even intending it, we became a team, and sure enough, our small group grew even closer.

Are you struggling with certain expectations? Are you feeling frustrated because someone’s gifts or talents don’t look like yours? Do you feel like the things you bring to the table aren’t good enough? In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well… (Rom. 12:6)

We weren’t made to do things the same. Our differences can bring us together and help us reach our full potential.

Shared By: Lovelle Gerth- Myers