Wendy Clark, Western Waters District Lay Leader, acknowledges imperfections as avenues for God’s grace as we seek to use the gifts and talents God has given each of us.
WENDY CLARK
Western Waters District Lay Leader
I was thinking about my imperfections recently. I was pouting because I saw imperfections in a rainbow cross quilt I had just completed. I have been making these quilts and giving them away to anyone who wants one since the 2019 General Conference. You would think they would be perfect after making over 100 of them. I have yet to make a perfect one, in my eyes.
Around the time I was down about my work, I received a note from someone expressing her appreciation and how much it meant to have one of these rainbow crosses. It then occurred to me how God uses our imperfections. This quilt does not have to be perfect. I do not have to be perfect. God does not expect us to be the best but to do our best, to share our gifts and talents with others, to not keep our light under a bushel basket (Matthew 5:15).
You’ve got talent. Use it. Share it.
I believe perfection is unattainable, but it is worth aiming towards. God loves us in our imperfections. God uses our imperfections. Our inability to reach perfection does not mean we lower our standards or quit trying. We do not punish ourselves because of our failures. And most importantly, our imperfections do not disqualify us from participating in the life and work of the church.
Imagine lives that would never have known the love of God if we had not shared our gifts and talents. Our grandson, Kasen, gave us words of wisdom on this matter. One day, we were playing a game he made up. I was not doing well. He said, “Grandma, it is okay. When you mess up, you just have to try again.” Keep trying. Our districts and the conference offer a wealth of resources to help us.
We all have gifts and talents. It takes all of us sharing whatever gifts and talents we have to be the church. Despite what labels or judgments the world may put on us, in the eyes of God, we are each handcrafted, one-of-a-kind treasures, lovingly and carefully created with talents to share. We all have a role to play, a unique part in God’s plan.
Think about it. “A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other” (1 Corinthians 12:7, NLT). In his letter to Corinth, Paul tells the folks in Corinth to get out and start using their gifts. And for us, he tells us to let the Holy Spirit inspire us to get out of those pews and get to work sharing our gifts and talents. Good things happen when you listen to that “God nudge.” We have been given gifts and a key role to play in the life of the church. If we don’t use them, the entire body of the church suffers. If we are willing to do what we can, God will do what we can’t.
You are needed in the life of the church. No one can do everything, but everybody can do something. You know these words often attributed to John Wesley: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”
What are you good at? What gives you joy? What does the world need you to do? What does the church need you to do? How are you using your gifts and talents? Be a witness to God’s love by sharing your gifts and talents, planting seeds, and spreading joy.
Laity are the backbone of the church, and there are so many opportunities to serve in our church. Explore the Lay Servant Ministries offerings on a wide variety of topics. Enjoy caring for buildings and the management of assets and properties? Get involved as a trustee or a member of your local church’s finance committee. Like to use your creativity to help plan worship? Ask about your congregation’s worship committee. Like helping others and speaking out for justice? Join one of the Michigan Conference’s task forces, such as the Environmental Justice Task Force or the Task Force Promoting Justice in the Middle East. Want to assist your congregation in applying for grants or exploring faith formation options? Check out the workshops and trainings provided by the Michigan Conference Connectional Ministries Team.
To close, here’s one more lesson from our grandson. This time, it was making airplanes with Grandpa. It was Grandpa’s turn to mess up. Kasen told Grandpa to write this down: “Design it. Make it. Test it. Race it.” I think the instructions hold true for us when we use our gifts and talents in the life of the church, but with a little twist: Design it, make it, test it, do it.
Recognize your gifts and talents, and help others recognize their gifts and talents. Be influenced by the Holy Spirit. Understand and appreciate that the diversity among us is part of God’s plan. You’ve got gifts and talents. Let’s use them together. Serve out of love. We are in this together.
Last Updated on April 30, 2025