Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts (1 Corinthians 12:29-30).

According to my trusty NIV Study Bible, this passage has two possible translations. The way it is written, “But eagerly desire the greater gifts,” is an encouragement to pursue God and the blessings of His Spirit. “Further up and further in,” as C.S. Lewis would say. That is the translation NIV goes with, and it works for me. Another possibility, however, is “But you are eagerly desiring the greater gifts.” In this case, Paul would be rebuking his readers for going after the status and prestige that might accompany more dramatic gifts. The guy who is throwing around prophecies in church will get a lot more attention than the man who is quietly tending to the needs of the poor, and some people are drawn by the spotlight. 

It seems to me that either translation, taken in context, comes around to the same concept:

It’s not about you.

The gifts are given by God, for HIs Church, through you. You and I are like the hose in my garden. We deliver the water to the thirsty plants. If we start to think that we are overly important in this process, then we get kinked up and useless. If we try to stand out and get attention, someone’s going to trip over us.

I think that’s about as far as I can take that analogy, but you get the point.

Happy Friday, Beloved