ROMANS 12:3-6a: “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them…” NKJV

OBSERVATION: Do you struggle with insecurity? Do you look at other people and wonder why they have all the gifts and abilities, and you don’t have any? Do you feel forgotten, marginalized, and invisible to those around you? Do you ever pray?

“God, when will it be my turn?”

If you identified with any of the above, welcome to the human condition! If we all took a moment to remove our masks, we would find out that everyone in life and in ministry is insecure. We doubt our gifts. We question our abilities. We wonder why opportunities for others open up and not for us. And – we have a cheerleader, the enemy of our souls, who loves to fan the flame of these thoughts and feelings!

Let me share a story that illustrates this point. A conference was held featuring some of the top names in the church. They were all authors, many were pastors of well-known churches, and they were all sought-after conference speakers. They were the “Who’s Who” of the Christian church. As the conference was about to begin, they were all gathered around a large table for breakfast.

The atmosphere around the table seemed tense. All one could hear was the clanging of the silverware and plates. No one was talking. They all knew each other very well and were familiar with each one’s ministry and works. Finally, someone in the group was brave enough to broach the subject. “Why is everyone so quiet?” they asked. One brave person gulped and replied, “I am feeling a bit inadequate as I sit among such accomplished leaders.”

Then something amazing happened.

One by one, around the table, they all began to admit they were struggling with the same feelings. As they looked at their own ministries and accomplishments, they felt insecure and wondered what they could share that was of any importance when compared with those who sat around the table with them. Each one of them had forgotten Paul’s words in Romans 12.

“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” Romans 12:3

Our worth, our ability, our standing in life and in the church have nothing to do with ourselves. We cannot compare ourselves with others and establish our adequacy or inadequacy. What we possess as gifts, talents, and abilities are not our accomplishments; they are the gifts of God given by grace through faith. And God gives to every man and woman in life – a measure of faith!

Paul, in 1 Corinthians 12, makes it very clear that one person, one part of the body, is of no more importance than the other. Jesus, in the parable of the talents, makes it clear that it is not the amount of talents that matters. Rather, it is how we use and employ the talents we have been given. The person with one talent was not scolded because he only had one talent. He was scolded because he left this talent unused and hidden.

So what does this have to do with insecurity? Paul gives us the answer in Romans 12:4-6a.

“For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them…”

What would happen if I began to celebrate the gifts that God has given other people? What would happen if I began to focus on using the gift or gifts that God has given me? If I valued God’s gift in each person, and they valued God’s gift in me, then there would be no reason for anyone to feel insecure! Insecurity dies on the altar of celebration, cultivation, and cooperation. Insecurity cannot exist in an atmosphere of God’s grace that is allowed to grow and express itself through the wonderful tapestry of gifts the Holy Spirit gives to His people.

A special note is needed for leaders. As pastors and leaders, we need to model this attitude of celebration, cultivation, and cooperation for our churches. In fact, if we do not lead in this area, our churches will become a day care center for the insecure rather than the base of operations for God’s army, ready to take the Gospel to our communities and our world!

How do I model celebration, cultivation, and cooperation as a leader? I must let go of the reins of the ministry and release them back to the Holy Spirit. I must confess my own insecurity and trust that the more I release ministry and gifts within the church, the more I will find my gifts and callings being used to their fullest. I must honor and release every gift, including the smallest of gifts, so that everyone can use their God-given gifts according to the grace that has been given to them.

Sometimes we feel like we are sitting on the bench while everyone else is in the game. Yet, if we adjust our posture, if we begin helping others in developing and employing their God-given gifts, we will find ourselves in a position of joy as we partner with the Holy Spirit. Suddenly, we will realize that our insecurity has been replaced with celebration as we cultivate and cooperate with the gifts of others.

We will discover the highest employment of the grace that God has given us!

Philippians 2:3-4: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” NKJV

Heavenly Father, release me from my insecurity as I learn how to celebrate, cultivate, and cooperate with the gifts of grace that are all around me. May I look more to the interests and opportunities of others than myself.

In Jesus’ Name!