Everyone is a “10” Somewhere

By Michael Sove

“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.  Therefore He says: ‘When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.’” ~ Ephesians 4:7-8

I know I’m dating myself as I write this, but in 1979 Bo Derek starred in the movie “10.”  For those of you not my age here is a short synopsis:  On the night of his 42nd birthday, George Webber, a popular songwriter, begins showing symptoms of “middle-age crisis.” While driving home one afternoon, George spots Jenny, a stunning young beauty en route to her marriage ceremony. Regarding her as “the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen” (on a scale from one to 10), George follows her to the church.  He later learns her name, and discovers that she and her husband are honeymooning in Mexico. Driven by the impulse to see her again, George flies to Mexico and checks into the hotel where Jenny is staying and on the story goes.  He becomes infatuated with this girl he sees as a “10”.

I don’t know about you, but I have become infatuated with the Church, that beautiful gifted Bride.  Paul writes that gifts are given to all Christians.  Unto every one of us is given a gift (see Eph. 4:7).  In the words of Jill Briscoe:  “Each gift is different, and there is a diversity as subtle and beautiful as the spots on a leopard, snowflakes on the grass, grains of sand on the seashore.  Each personality with its matching gifts is unique, but, like a note in a chord of music, or an instrument in an orchestra, it is intended to blend with others so that the message of salvation becomes the loveliest symphony of all.”

One of the greatest discoveries, one of those “ah ha” moments in my life, happened when I realized that the New Testament was predominately written to those groups of Christians meeting in the house setting.  When you realize this, all those passages come alive.  You begin to realize that all those people sitting around your living room are a “10” somewhere.

I look forward to the next few weeks as we unpack this theme of spiritual gifts in action.

Comments?

Michael