April 22, 2010

You are Crucial to God’s Purposes!!!!

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. 14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. 15 If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? 18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” 22 In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. 23 And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, 24 while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. 25 This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. 26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. 27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.
1 Corinthians 12:12-27 (NLT)

Reflection

When someone asked me which body part I would identify myself with, my first thought was “the mouth” because I’m a teacher. But the more I think of it , the more I identify with Jon Meachem, editor of Newsweek magazine and Pulitzer prize winning author. When asked a similar question, he answered, “my nose because when I think of it, it keeps my humble”.

I find Paul’s description of the Body of Christ both beautiful and humbling, if not humiliating. Maybe I could call it a beautifully redeeming humiliation.

It is very humbling that my life’s function may be like that of a big toe. Who wants to be a big toe? But without it this body couldn’t walk, at least couldn’t walk without lots of outside help. Every part matters. You’re role in God’s story of healing the world is crucial. You are indispensible because without you the exact function for which you were chosen will never be filled. Yet each of is dispensable. Although my special role will never ever be filled if I don’t do it, another will come along fill a “plan B” version of that role. That’s God, always filling holes left by us. But it’s also frightening. If I don’t fulfill my role and purpose, I’ll die having missed it. Yet it’s encouraging, because no matter who I am, I have a role and a giftedness. God will use me if I let him. And it’s never too late to start. And, imagine this, those parts of the Body with the least honor today will in the next life, have the most honor.

Be both challenged and encouraged.

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