Walk This Way

Several years ago, the Lord demonstrated a spiritual principle to me through the depiction of a closet full of shoes. If we only have one pair of shoes to wear, then there is very little question as to what we will put on our feet for the day. If we have a closet full of shoes to choose from, the choice becomes a little more challenging if we are blessed with several pairs of shoes of the same color in different styles.

This would be the equivalent of a multi-talented, multi-gifted person. Many creative people, including movement artists, often have several creative gifts to employ. When we are passionate about each area in which the Lord has chosen to give us gifts, we may find ourselves torn between two ministries or functions with frustration.

The dilemmma was resolved for me like this: We cannot wear two different types of shoes at the same time and maintain balance. If we wear a sneaker and a dress shoe on opposite feet, we will walk unevenly. This opens us up to potential pitfalls and danger if we try to walk in a way that is unstable. There were times when I directed the choir, danced, and sang all in the same service. By the end of the day, I was drained and exhausted.

We must remain balanced in our walk before the Lord. It is ok to have several giftings, but in order to be fully effective, we may need to run the race one lane at a time. Many are burned out, overwhelmed, and off target simply because we are trying to do too many things at once. Let us continue to pray to the Lord for direction so that we are where we are supposed to be, doing what we are called to do for that place, season, and time.

Ecclesiastes 10:3 (NKJV)
"Even when a fool walks along the way, He lacks wisdom, and he shows everyone that he is a fool."

1 Thessalonians 4:1 (NKJV)
"Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God"

I Corinthians 12:4-11 (NKJV)
"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same[b] Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills."