There are many parts, but one body. (1 Cor. 12:20)

 

RECENTLY, SOMEONE ADVISED ME to grow as a leader by focusing on my weaknesses. Much of business and leadership theory would disagree. We do not become our best selves by putting our energy into our worst areas. We are most effective when we develop and use our strengths. LeBron James would not have become a better athlete by spending half his days swimming. And Michael Phelps would not have become a more successful Olympian by spending half of his training time on the basketball court. The secret to their success was playing to their strengths.

God has given you areas of strength. And yet you are incomplete by yourself. You need others, and they need you. Realizing this simple design principle allows you to value people in your church who are different and even celebrate their strengths that are your weaknesses. These differences need not be points of contention. In fact, God made each of us with a special function.

As one lady in my church said, “I used to put so much pressure on myself to send cards to everyone who was sick, because so-and-so in my Sunday school class did that. Then I realized, that was her thing. I am a good cook, so now instead of cards, I send cookies.” And for some, the cookies are more of blessing than a card!

 

Thank God specifically for your strengths and weaknesses.

 

Jarod Osborne is lead pastor of Pathway Church, Warsaw, Indiana. He is the author of Jaded Faith (WPH).

 

© 2019 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.