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Key Bible Verse: God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be (1 Corinthians 12:18). Bonus Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Several years ago, chest pains and a bad case of burnout forced me to see that I was the wrong person performing the wrong functions for the wrong reasons. The truth [of today's Key Bible Verse] became an ironclad reality to me.

I had laid aside my leadership development and innovation role [with The Navigators] to manage a conference facility with 23 buildings and 100 employees. The need was pressing, and I was the most logical person to call on.

Every day I headed off to my new job telling myself that if I tried hard and trusted God enough, I could rise to the occasion. Every day the tasks of replacing asbestos in the basement or tackling new market strategies left me depleted. The function I served was important, but I was not drawn to it nor gifted for it. I felt physically tired, emotionally drained, chained to a prison cell.

I slowly recognized what my chest pains and lack of motivation were trying to tell me: I really wasn't designed for this! We each have different gifts, differing motivations, and are drawn to various ministries accordingly. This diversity is a clear New Testament teaching.

—Stacy T. Rinehart in Upside Down

• Rejoice that God made you for a purpose! Ask Him to show you your gifts—and how to use them.

Thought to Apply: When skill and love work together, expect a masterpiece.

—JOHN RUSKIN (ENGLISH ART CRITIC AND WRITER, 19TH CENTURY)

Credits: Adapted from—Tuesday: Upside Down (NavPress, 1998)

Copyright © 2000 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity. For reprint information click here.

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