Romans 12:4-5
A body is made up of many parts, and each of them has its own use. That’s how it is with us. There are many of us, but we each are part of the body of Christ, as well as part of one another.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever stubbed your toe, smashed your finger, or gotten a paper cut? Doesn’t it seem that all you can think about for the next day or so is how your toe or finger throbs in pain? Or maybe you have gotten a tender spot on your gums, and all you can focus on is how much your mouth hurts! One seemingly tiny, insignificant part of your body is elevated in importance when it causes you pain!
Like many people, I have had my appendix surgically removed. I’m sure God had a perfect purpose for the appendix, but in my case and that of many others, it posed a potential health risk and had to be removed. Thankfully, we can still function without our appendix… just as countless people learn to function without limbs, sight, hearing, and the ability to speak or move parts of their body. Even in our “brokenness,” we can find ways to live happy, healthy, productive lives.
In the body of Christ, every part is significant… and every part is broken. We all come with sinful pasts – and the potential for sin to creep into our futures. Yet God uses us for His purposes… and together, we create a whole “body” that can function in ways we never could individually. Where one is broken, another is whole. Where one is weak… a brother or sister is strong. Where one is lacking in skills and abilities, others are gifted. And together, we bring our unique attributes before God to create the very vehicle He needs to achieve His plans.
I don’t know what your unique qualities are… I don’t know what significant role you are called to play in accomplishing the missions and ministries of God. But I know that we all have a part to play – and each is incredibly important. The question is… are you seeking your unique role? Are you communicating with God and asking Him to reveal your purposes… to show you how to serve others – and contribute to the body of Christ?
As you consider your importance to the body of Christ, ask yourself these questions… What will you bring to the table? What will be missing if you don’t?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label doing our part. Show all posts
Showing posts with label doing our part. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for August 13, 2010
Acts 2:44
All the Lord's followers often met together, and they shared everything they had.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
You may have never prepared food for a potluck meal, but I bet you’ve eaten one! The beauty of a potluck is that no one person has to prepare every single dish. Time, money, and culinary talents are combined to create something delicious and enjoyable for all.
Imagine if your church held a potluck dinner, and everyone showed up to eat, but nobody brought a covered dish! Or suppose there were dishes provided – a couple of pies, a salad, and one casserole – and dozens of hungry people were standing in line with plates and utensils.
Sadly, this is a pretty good analogy for how Christian service looks. Needy people who are hungry for God’s word and His love are standing in line with their “plates” in their hands, but nobody is showing up to serve them … and what is provided is merely a drop in the bucket.
Christian service should resemble a potluck. Each Christian should share his/her time, talents, money and abilities for the benefit of the entire group. No one person should have to do everything – no one person can! But each person can do what God calls him/her to do, and the effects will be multiplied exponentially.
It’s a funny thing … we’re all eager to get in line with our “plate and fork” and be served by God. We all understand the “getting” end of Christian nurture. But we have all sorts of handy excuses for why we can’t – or won’t – give in return. We can change this. We can start now to make a difference. We can ask ourselves – or our fellow Christians – where our services would fit the best, and then we can get busy contributing as much as possible. In the Kingdom of God, there is always a “potluck” somewhere. The question is … what will you take to the table?
©2010 Debbie Robus
All the Lord's followers often met together, and they shared everything they had.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
You may have never prepared food for a potluck meal, but I bet you’ve eaten one! The beauty of a potluck is that no one person has to prepare every single dish. Time, money, and culinary talents are combined to create something delicious and enjoyable for all.
Imagine if your church held a potluck dinner, and everyone showed up to eat, but nobody brought a covered dish! Or suppose there were dishes provided – a couple of pies, a salad, and one casserole – and dozens of hungry people were standing in line with plates and utensils.
Sadly, this is a pretty good analogy for how Christian service looks. Needy people who are hungry for God’s word and His love are standing in line with their “plates” in their hands, but nobody is showing up to serve them … and what is provided is merely a drop in the bucket.
Christian service should resemble a potluck. Each Christian should share his/her time, talents, money and abilities for the benefit of the entire group. No one person should have to do everything – no one person can! But each person can do what God calls him/her to do, and the effects will be multiplied exponentially.
It’s a funny thing … we’re all eager to get in line with our “plate and fork” and be served by God. We all understand the “getting” end of Christian nurture. But we have all sorts of handy excuses for why we can’t – or won’t – give in return. We can change this. We can start now to make a difference. We can ask ourselves – or our fellow Christians – where our services would fit the best, and then we can get busy contributing as much as possible. In the Kingdom of God, there is always a “potluck” somewhere. The question is … what will you take to the table?
©2010 Debbie Robus
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