“But now indeed there are many members, yet one body…the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”
1 Corinthians 12:20-22 (NKJV)
Just as the diversity of my body parts augments my entire body, so does the diversity of the church. The church of Jesus Christ is magnificently built to include every one of us, so we should embrace both our diversity and our unity as a body of Jesus Christ. No one individual is more important or essential than another. When we understand this concept, we will see how amazingly necessary it is for each one of us to be a part of God’s Kingdom.
Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 12, placed emphasis on the fact that we are all different but need each other. While we are each unique and gifted individuals, we are also part of a greater spiritual body that Jesus is building up. Jesus is building up His church. We can utilise the wealth of uniqueness we have in the church; one may be gifted at music, another gifted at teaching, another can counsel, another at speaking, another at good hygiene and cleanliness, another at hospitality, and there are those who are good with empathy that they grieve with those who are hurting. Don’t ever feel that your importance within this body is built on the visibility of your service.
Ask yourself, what is my gift? Or what is my skill? What am I good at? Better yet, what is my talent? Your gifts and skills will fit into the big community of God’s Kingdom. It will make a way for you to help change the world for Jesus Christ. More importantly, when you know who you are in Jesus Christ, you can live without any feeling of jealousy or insecurity. Your gifts, skills, and talents can help others in your church and your community. Serve faithfully regardless of where the Spirit has positioned you within the body of Jesus Christ. This is who we are.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for creating us with incredibly unique gifts, skills, and talents. Father, we are amazed at Your power and love. We ask that You forgive us for harbouring any jealousy that may get in the way of our living in peace and love with others around us. With grateful hearts, we ask You to show us how our gifts can unite with others in the unified body of the church. We pray all this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Read: Philippians 2:2; 1 Corinthians 1:10
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 17:25-28; Proverbs 18:1-6; Romans 8:1-17; Hosea 8; Hosea 9
