Striving for the Greatest Spiritual Gifts

I had some fruitful prayer time this morning not only with the day’s readings, but also with a manuscript for a terrific book that will be launching within the next several months.

That reading time came after I’d already enjoyed my morning prayer time. One particular verse from 1st Corinthians 12 was stuck in my head:

Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.

I’ve read this particular chapter of Paul’s epistle scores of times. Somehow, I always clung to the preceding verses:

Brothers and sisters:
As a body is one though it has many parts,
and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body,
so also Christ.
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body,
whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons,
and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.

Now the body is not a single part, but many.

Now you are Christ’s Body, and individually parts of it.
Some people God has designated in the Church
to be, first, Apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers;
then, mighty deeds;
then gifts of healing, assistance, administration,
and varieties of tongues.
Are all Apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?
Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing?
Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?

But today, it was that very last line that stuck out to me.

Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.

Is it bad to say I’ve never really noticed it? Past time with this passage always had me focusing on our differences, and on how each of us has a unique “Yes” to give in the Body of Christ. But today, as I sat pondering that author’s magnificent manuscript and sort of — quite honestly — envying her scripture expertise, I started to really think about that last line.

That author is what I think of as a “bible expert”. I’m not. I love the bible, but I can’t quote from memory to save my life and without a good commentary my scriptural musings are simple and childlike. But Paul doesn’t say, “It’s OK Lisa, leave the bible quoting to Mrs. XYZ.”

He says instead:

Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.

So there you have it. Yes, we are each endowed with amazing gifts, placed within us by our creator. But our potential for growth and improvement is exponential. When we hold back from aiming to improve our abilities by saying, “I’m not good at ____,” don’t we neglect to fully commit ourselves to living as full members of the Body? Yes, we will all have varying abilities and charisms, but we are all called to grasp for more.

And verse 31 doesn’t say, “Try and give up…”.

It uses active language:

“Strive eagerly” — with a joyful heart, fully engaged in giving ourselves to the best that God has to offer us.

Will we fail sometimes, falling prey to sin or discouragement? Yes, it’s likely.

Are we allowed to give up?

Nope.

Your turn: How are you eagerly striving for the greatest spiritual gifts?