I have a confession to make: I don’t know what I’m doing some times. Sure, there are some things I can do really well. There are times when I’m the right person for a particular task at a particular time. But there are many things I am just not very good at and so I need to learn from others and often, I need to let others do it for me or instead of me. There’s a reason I don’t braid my daughters’ hair or even do their hair clips. And why I don’t lead singing.
But that does not mean that we should not do something just because we aren’t good at it or because somebody else may be better. We need to share in serving because it helps encourage, teach, train, disciple, and build up the entire body of Christ.
Have you ever gotten mad or indignant when somebody suggested you do something a different way because your way wasn’t very wise? Especially when you’ve been doing something for a while and you consider yourself to be fairly decent at it? I wonder how many times a day the phrase “I know how to do it” or “I know what I’m doing” is uttered. Or how about when you are doing something (like cooking) and somebody (your spouse), without even suggesting a better way takes the tools (spatula) out of your hands to do it themselves?
Dealing with each other when it comes to how we do things can be frustrating sometimes (and cause serious problems other times). But that same situation of working with others that can cause problems is the same situation that can be a tremendous blessing. Ideas, improvements, challenges, encouragement, and correction comes when we work with others.