As we have already pointed out, back on “Day 9,” to ignore Paul’s admonition in Romans 12:3 not to think “more highly” of ourselves “than we ought to think,” will sentence our souls to a perpetual state of upheaval. How do we avoid making this calamitous mistake and assure ourselves that we are at all times innocent of an exaggerated self-affirmation? I think the answer to this important question is found in two things. First, we must come to know our true spiritual size. 

How do we accurately size ourselves spiritually? The answer to this question is actually given to us by the Apostle Paul in the verses that follow Romans 12:3. Here, in verses 4-8, Paul teaches us to size ourselves spiritually by coming to know God’s call upon us and God’s gifting of us. What God has called us to do He has gifted us to do and what God has gifted us to do He has called us to do.  

Doing what God has called and gifted you to do will bring satisfaction and fulfillment to your soul in the service of Christ. Therefore, it is imperative to the calming of your soul that you discover, develop and deploy your spiritual gift or gifts in the church. On the other hand, if you attempt to do what God has not called and gifted you to do, you will not find satisfaction and fulfillment in your service of Christ, but you will be continuously discouraged and frustrated.

Permit me to illustrate this important point. If God has given you a hammer rather than a saw to use in His service, but you insist upon sawing wood with it rather than driving nails, you will be forever discouraged and frustrated in your service of Christ. On the other hand, if you will submit your will to God’s will and surrender your life to His calling, you will discover that driving nails with your God-given hammer brings you great satisfaction and fulfillment in your service of Christ.

The problem with so many Christians today is that they refuse to do what God has called and gifted them to do, feeling it is menial and beneath them. Instead, they attempt to do something God has not called and gifted them to do, feeling it is more meaningful and attention getting. As a result of attempting to do what they are incapable of doing and refusing to do what God has enabled them to do, these Christians end up failing to do anything for God. Like the carnal Corinthians, who the Apostle Paul had such difficulties with, many a contemporary Christian spurns his or her special gift of service in hopes of obtaining one of the more flashy, showy sign gifts.

To calm your soul and to find satisfaction and fulfillment in your service of Christ you must rid yourself of any grandiose designs on your spiritual service. You must submit your will to God’s will and surrender yourself to God’s call upon your life by discovering, developing and deploying your spiritual gift or gifts in the church. 

To calm the soul one must count it the highest honor to do anything for Christ, regardless of how mundane or menial it may appear to be.