Serving as One Body

1 Corinthians 12:12 says For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. We read these words from yesterday’s challenge and we let the message wash over us.  We have one body, but all its parts function differently, yet they are still all a part of this one body.  And this is the body of Christ as well.  It goes on… in verses 14 through 18.

For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body.  And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.  (1 Corinthians 12:14-18). God has given us a purpose in the body of Christ…a unique role to fill in building His Kingdom.  But this role will look and sound different than those around us.  How do You want us to serve, Lord?  Where is our place?  What function do we have?

But before we can serve in this beautiful body of Christ, we have to let go of one of the most damaging enemies of unity:  comparison.

We are all guilty.  We look at our place as a foot and wish with all our heart God has made us a hand.  We watch the hand giving and applauding…we see it reaching out and reaching high.  How desperately we long for the recognition that the hand receives.  All the while, our function as the foot is neglected.  God has called these feet to GO, yet we stand crippled with resentment and discontentment.  And in our neglect of the calling God has placed on us – to carry His message forward – our purpose is thwarted and we hurt the body and all the rest of its members.

We must stop wishing for something that God has not placed in our path to do.  We must open our eyes and see the opportunities He has put right in front of us.  We long for the limelight, the places of service that generate attention and honor.  We want people to see us serving, see us being used, see us!  Matthew 6:1 says “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.

Instead of clamoring to be in front leading, be grateful to be used in the back, sweeping up the leftover remnants of a morning service that was spent in worship to the Creator of the Universe.  What an honor indeed!  Instead of longing for a ministry we can call our own, may we become content and excited for the opportunities to encourage our brothers and sisters who are walking the same path as we are.  Open our eyes Lord to the neighbor who has lost her husband and needs a cheerful word of love and kindness.  Open our eyes to lend a helping hand to the one struggling to get groceries loaded in their trunk.  Open our eyes to the one sitting all alone at church so that we can minister the gift of presence – even if it means venturing outside our comfort zone.  Open our eyes to the downcast teller at the bank who could use a word of hope on an ordinary Monday morning.  Open our eyes to the mom of multiple kids and not enough help.  Let us serve by randomly bringing a dinner or offering ourselves as caregivers to her children so she can have a much needed afternoon of quiet.  Open our eyes to the extra measure of kindness a stranger sends our way in order that that we might return that kindness.  Open our eyes to all of this so that we will, in turn, discover and show whole-hearted appreciation for the small and intricate blessings You sprinkle on our day.

Make us sensitive Lord, to Your Spirit’s leading.  There are times when God calls us up and out…to stand before the crowds…to lead with boldness and strength.  But there are times when He calls us to sit quietly in the back, praying fervently for the souls that enter in.  We are here to make Jesus KNOWN!  HIS love, HIS grace, HIS bigness, HIS goodness, HIS majesty.  Never our own.

We are all looking for purpose, something we can be a part of that gives us a sense of satisfaction.  We want to clearly see that our lives here on earth are making a difference bigger than ourselves.  God has placed His Spirit within every believer to guide us and mold us into His likeness.  We may serve in different capacities in this body of Christ, but our end goal should all be the same: Bring honor and glory to God Almighty!

Isaiah 43:7 says Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made.”

He has left the church here to be His earthly body.  It is our responsibility to step up and discover what part we can play.  When the Holy Spirit enters in, He fills us with His power.  He gives us gifts in order to serve more effectively.  These gifts can be developed as we grow in our relationship with Him.

May we focus on the fact that we all serve the same ultimate purpose, and that is that we are called to be empty vessels waiting to be filled and used at the Master’s desire.   Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. (2 Timothy 2:21).

Today’s Challenge:  Ask the Lord to open your eyes to any areas of comparison in your life.  Are you serving joyfully in the capacity He has placed in front of you?  Do you seek notice and appreciation for the opportunities in which He has called you to serve?  We will touch more on this tomorrow, but throughout  the day today, pray for sensitivity to His Spirit’s leading…asking to be shown which areas He desires you to serve and give selflessly of yourself.