Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6

More than two years ago, jobs were described as essential and non-essential during the earliest phase of the government lockdowns. I had not thought about that recently until, on Friday evening, I stood in line behind a young man dressed in his work clothes. On the back of his shirt was the line that read “essential-lumberjack.”

Lumberjacks are essential and the truth is that every person has a contribution to make both in our daily lives and in the church.

Paul describes three aspects briefly in the verses above that are all connected – gifts, service, and activities. We may consider some as more important than others, but each one is essential. We all need each other and all of us are dependent on God as our source of power to accomplish the task at hand.

What gifts do you possess? What role do you play? How are you performing your tasks for the benefit of all?