READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 3:9; 12:1–13:7

I held my breath and gently pressed my foot to the gas, driving up the icy road. Was my job worth dying for on my two-minute commute?

I was needed at the Fire Department. Every January our firefighters select their vacation days for the year. This being my first year as a secretary, Chief gave me the job of keeping track of the days. The problem was, we were in the middle of a record ice storm. The station was insane. Upon my arrival, I learned that the guys had gone on sixty calls the shift before. Branches were falling. Power lines were down, “Arching and sparking,” as the firefighters said. Chaos.

Between calls, we went through vacation picks. Toward the end of the day, a woman dropped off a bag of snacks from a local business, thanking the first responders for their service. As we dug through the bag, one of the firefighters offered me some snacks.

“No, those are for you guys,” I said, shaking my head.

“No,” he insisted. “You’re part of the team now.”

In addition to food, there were also these big pins—too goofy to actually wear. He gave one to me. It read, I Am Valuable.

I’m just the secretary. I don’t save lives. I don’t respond to 911 calls. But that day, the fireman reminded me that I’m still a valuable part of the station. I help things run smoothly in the office so the guys can serve well. We need everyone to do their part. In the same way, Paul writes to the church in Corinth that we are all needed (1 Corinthians 12:20, 27). As Christians, we each have different spiritual gifts that help propel the gospel forward. God calls all of us, together, to share the good news of Jesus’s death and resurrection. But, to neglect the gifts the Spirit gives us inevitably leaves a hole in our communities (1 Corinthians 12:17; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6). So let’s use our gifts to love and serve each other as Jesus loves and serves us, remembering that we are each a valuable part of the body of Christ (1 Peter 4:10). • Natty Maelle

• Do you ever feel like you’re not valuable in the body of Christ? Consider taking a moment to bring your hurts to Jesus in prayer. Then read 1 Corinthians 12 and ask Him to help you see yourself as He sees you. You can also ask trusted Christians to help you discover your gifts.

• Have you ever seen someone else using their gifts well to serve God’s people? Have you told that person you notice and appreciate what they do? Remember, we all need encouragement!

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27 (NIV)