Your Place at the Table

Growing Daily

Your Place at the Table

Our family always does a puzzle on vacation. It’s a tradition started by my parents. My dad’s energetic encouragement got us started, while my mom’s patience and persistence carried us through to the completed picture.  

Now my own family brings unique strengths to the table. My husband is up early working on the puzzle while the rest of us sleep. My daughter’s enthusiasm for the emerging picture keeps us engaged. My son doesn’t linger long, but his keen eye can quickly spot the elusive pieces the rest of us can’t seem to find.

By week’s end, the puzzle is complete. No one keeps track of who placed the most pieces. That’s not the point. Some contributions are obvious. Others may go unnoticed. But the puzzle comes together because each person brings something different to the table.

God designed His church the same way. "Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body... God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well" (Romans 12:4-6). "As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow..." (Ephesians 4:16).

It’s easy to compare what we contribute or keep score—especially when other gifts seem more visible or important. But God isn’t asking us to place the most pieces. He’s asking us to faithfully use the gifts He has given us (1 Peter 4:10–11).


- Catherine Reid