You may or may not have heard the phrase, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” but I am willing to bet, regardless if you are familiar with the phrase itself, you are familiar with the feeling of comparing yourself to someone else and feeling less than.

The problem with that outlook is we were never meant to be anyone else but exactly who we are. We are each uniquely gifted with strengths and purposeful characteristics that beautifully work together with other members of the body of Christ to form one outcome: glorifying God.

As 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 so eloquently puts it, “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. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”

I like to think of God’s disciples as pieces of a puzzle. We vary in shape, size and color, yet it is those exact differences that allow us to display a full picture, tell a whole story.

May we honor, respect, and appreciate our intricate differences and encourage each other to be our own piece of the puzzle. No more, no less. We each play an integral part in the body of Christ. Let us give each other the freedom to do just that.

Prayer to consider: Father, allow my confidence to be birthed in You. May I humbly accept my place in the body of Christ and encourage others in their own paths as part of the body. God, grant me a piece of Your perspective to witness how our beautiful differences come together under You — proclaiming unity in diversity.