Where Do You Fit in the Body of Christ?
“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:27
Do you find yourself looking around and wishing you could be more like someone you know? Maybe prettier like the girl over there, or smarter like that guy, or funnier like her.
On the other hand, do you find yourself looking down at someone who doesn’t quite fit in- maybe she is not so pretty, or has a quirky personality, or doesn’t talk very much. Whatever it is, we all tend to want to be different and look down on those who don’t “fit” our acceptable mold.
How often have you really just sat there and thought, “I am so thankful for who I am, how I look, and the gifts that God has given me?” Well maybe you should stop and say that to yourself more often. Because guess what- you are who God has made you, and he has made us all a little different and all very important to his family- the body of Christ. You really are special!
Think about the body- we tend to focus on things like hair and eyes. How often do you look at someone’s big toe, or their knee cap? But would you be able to walk without either your big toe or your knee cap? If you have ever stubbed or broken your big toe, you know how hard it is to walk well and keep your balance when it hurts, much less if it were missing!
So what if you are called to be the “big toe” in God’s kingdom? It might not LOOK like much, but it sure is important. And when the big toe hurts, the whole body hurts (think about how much it hurts when you stub your toe).
In 1 Corinthians, God reminds us that each part of our body needs the other parts- the eye can’t get rid of the hand, or the head get rid of the feet. And in Romans it says that members do not all have the same function.
Just think of all the different people who help you- from doctors to lawyers to teachers to plumbers to electricians to mechanics to the janitors who keep your school nice and clean; the list goes on and on. And in God’s kingdom there can be teachers, leaders, those who act with mercy and cheerfulness, servants. If we all did the same thing, the body wouldn’t function. (just imagine if your whole body was that beautiful hair you wish you had!)
It takes ALL of us, with all of our quirks and talents and gifts. Think about your cabin at camp- it was so much fun with all of those different personalities, right? So rejoice in the gifts YOU have been given: maybe you are good at encouraging, or listening, or teaching. They are YOUR gifts.
And rejoice in the gifts others have been given; in fact, notice how different people bring out different aspects of your personality. Kind of cool, huh? And remember- the HEAD of your body is none other than your savior- Jesus Christ. He is our common goal.
What are your gifts? Are you using them?
Further Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Romans 12:4-8