Is there anyone who DOES NOT make the best pizza in town? I'm on a study break in Edgemont, Arkansas. Here in Edgemont finding wireless Internet is almost as tough as finding a Florida Marlins fan when the Mets or Yankees are in town. You've got to look hard! But when it comes to finding Wi-Fi, I'm like the paparazzi in search of a movie star, like Louis and Clark in search of the passage West, like Dirty Harry in search of the bad guy.
You get the picture. I don't give up easily. Which is why I am sitting in Jack's, a gas station restaurant, eating their pizza. They offered free Wi-Fi!
When I walked in, I asked the guy behind the counter what he recommended. Without a moment's hesitation he said, "We've got the best pizza in town." So I took him at his word and gave it a try. How good is it? Put it this way, they only have one size, Large, and I am seriously tempted to eat the WHOLE THING!
Jack's claim got me thinking about Paul's words to the Romans.
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them ..." (Romans 12:3-6 ESV)
I've been wrestling with those words A LOT lately. In fact, Paul's words aboutthinking with sober judgment and according to the measure of faith that God has assignedhave me so intrigued that we are going to devote an entire sermon series to it this fall at Spanish River Church. Here's why. With respect to our gifts, some of us "have the best pizza," but act as if all we have to offer is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
We need to think carefully about the gifts God has given. We need to understand that God himself has gifted us. And then we need to act in accordance with the measure of faith that God has assigned. That last phrase is pure gold. When we know our gifts and we know how God works through us when we use them, then we can be as bold as the man behind the counter.
How good is your pizza?
MY PRAYER: Lord, please open our eyes to the amazing ways you have gifted us. Help us to understand those gifts. Help us to understand the measure of faith you have given us so that we may serve you with great confidence and great boldness.