Square Pegs

by R. Darke, Victoria, B C, Canada | Category: General | Feb 1993

Some Christians may view themselves as square pegs in round holes. This can place limitations on their work for the Lord as well as depriving themselves of satisfaction and encouragement. The Lord also loses. Perhaps it is because we get a wrong perspective of the word gift as it is used in Scripture. Some lament with finality, "I have no gift", as if this limits or

exonerates them from all aspects of the Lord's service. One wonders if they have overlooked the little word "helps" as one of God's gifts.

There are single words in our Bibles which carry tremendous weight. For example, love, peace, grace, forgiveness, salvation. Yet, a word of value which could be used more often by us is helps. This is one

of God's gifts (1 Cor. 12:28). Paul may have been aware of some in his day who lamented over not having a gift, while others had unmistakable gifts. lie answered effectively: "And God hath set some in the church

apostles ... prophets ... teachers

miracles ... gifts of healings ... helps" (1 Cor. 12:28). In such a formidable list it might not be intended that helps should be relegated by us to an insignificant place. Paul confirms this in his prison plea to Timothy to bring Mark with him on his next visit, "for he is useful to me" (2 Tim. 4:11). The Greek word for useful means someone good, profitable.

Helps, as one of the gifts, literally means a person who can be a support, or bring relief to another. There was an occasion when Paul commended Aristarchus and Justus for being a comfort to him. He literally conveyed that they were near, alongside, when help of a soothing nature was needed (Col. 4:10,11). John commends Gaius for his hospitality and kindness towards the Lord's servants, and others who were strangers to him. Mary Magdalene and her compatriots were helps to the Lord and his disciples. No doubt they provided meals and cared for the daily apparel. With them can be ranked that dear, faithful sister Dorcas, whose needle never seemed to be still. How much her help was missed when she died, and what tributes were paid in memory of her work (Acts 9:36-39).

There was a dear brother who did not preach the gospel, minister the

word, or engage in verbal exercise. It was not his gift, he claimed. Yet, when practical help was needed in transporting sick ones to hospital, elderly saints to assembly meetings, or catering for conferences, he was the man for the job. His help also included emergencies at varying hours of the night. lie was generous with his time, money, and care. Helping was his gift! And what of those who are given to hospitality? (Rom. 12:13). This is also a gift to manifest, and Paul uses a word which encourages us to be quick to pursue such a work. In so doing we might entertain angels unawares as was the case with Abraham at Marnre (Gen. 18:3; cf. Heb. 13:2).

i)erhaps the Lord's disciples today need quiet times to review their relationship to the word and work, so effectively described as helps. This may involve prayer time with a person or persons who are sick, anxious, bereaved, depressed, distressed. This can include neighbours, fellow Christians, fellow workers, family, the elderly. It can embrace a person or family affected by unemployment, or terminal illness. We may find that such needed help, encouragement, or support is required close at hand. It might also embrace a timely phone call, card or letter to one or more findmg the way to be hard and long. It is only by thoughtful, prayerful, gracious involvement that we can discover that our gift is helps. Contrariwise, "Let none hear you idly saying, there is nothing I can do".

R. Darke, Victoria, B C, Canada | Feb 1993
General