ODJ: Weird Like Me

December 16, 2018 

READ: Romans 12:1-10 

So it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other (v.5).

Art people are so weird!” my friend exclaimed. She was telling me about her experiences in art class during her first semester as a graphics design major. I smiled. At the time, I’d just completed my creative writing degree, so I laughed and said, “I don’t know if writers are weird. If they are, I guess I am too!”

It’s fascinating to see how God has created each of us differently. Yet at the same time, many of us share similar interests. Even though people with particular interests might seem odd to some, they can often find an encouraging community of like-minded people. But no matter what our talents and interests are, all believers in Jesus are part of a larger community in which our spiritual gifts are to be used to help others and honour God.

In Romans 12, Paul describes this reality, stating, “God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well” (v.6). Sometimes it’s hard to get along with others whose gifts differ from our own. But regardless of whether we have the same gifting as those around us, we’re commanded to not “just pretend to love others. Really love them. . . . Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honouring each other” (vv.9-10).

God created us for relationship (Genesis 2:18). We’re meant to be in community with others and humbly serve one another. Paul explained this while describing the body of Christ (the church) in Ephesians 4, as each person (“part”) in Christ’s body “does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love” (v.16).

As a member of the body of Christ, it’s important that we encourage and build others up in Him—even if they seem a bit weird at times!

—Julie Schwab

365-day plan: Hebrews 10:19-39

MORE
Read Nehemiah 3:1-32 to see a community coming together to build the walls of Jerusalem. Note the unique talents of those who were helping. 
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Are you struggling to get along with someone due to different talents or gifts? How can you encourage that person and work with them to honour God?