A More Excellent Way

Years ago during Christmas I spent time reading and pondering the gifts of the spirit. I enjoyed it but didn't have any overwhelming spiritual experiences. Tonight, I was listening to First Corinthians chapter 12 as I drove home from an event, some things caught me. I read the whole chapter again about gifts of the spirit and how we need all kinds of gifts and members who contribute to the whole "body" and was particularly pensive about the last verse: 31, But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. (New Testament, 1 Corinthians, Chapter 12)

I looked up references for covet and there are no other references that I can find for covet being used in a positive light. We're commanded not to covet and yet we're supposed to COVET EARNESTLY. I don't think we're supposed to covet each other's gifts, but I'm moved by the thought to want them in a way that emulates the Savior and brings us closer to God. As we do, we will find a "more excellent way" to live, a "more excellent way" to be like Jesus Christ, a "more excellent way" to use our gifts together to share his mission in the world. Do you have any other thoughts and insights as you read this passage of scripture? I would love your thoughts.

Originally written December 18, 2014