She was a prayer warrior, a soul winner, and the hostess with the mostest. Charisma and charm danced around her like a cloud of butterflies, and as I admired her life and ministry, I often found myself wondering what I was good for in the kingdom of God. I felt that I carried none of those qualities or characteristics, so how could I contribute?
It is easy, at times, to look around at the seemingly gifted among us and to become discouraged. We see all of their success, yet only our inadequacies. We compare our endeavors to theirs and find ourselves wanting.
God understands this, as we see in 1 Corinthians chapter 12, we find Him using Paul to make the comparison of His church to the facets, functions, and capabilities of a body. He said, “If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear” 1 Corinthians 12:17 (NLT)?
The eye can never do all that the hand is capable of, and the ear can never do what the heart does, but they are all necessary to the body. If even the insignificant pinky toe sustains an injury, it affects the overall productivity of everything else. Even little parts matter. Verse 14-15 says, “Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. 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.”
The eye can never do all that the hand is capable of, and the ear can never do what the heart does, but they are all necessary to the body.
Breana Henry
Jesus reminds us not to compare our abilities to the abilities of those around us because God has called each of us to a ministry based on our skills, aptitudes, and personality that will bring His kingdom the greatest return. When we learn to appreciate and use the strengths that God has instilled in us, we gain fulfillment. 1 Corinthians 12:7 says, “A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other” (NLT).
The physical body is a very diverse entity, as is the body of Christ. We see this diversity in the word of God as we observe the ministries of the apostles in that Peter was a leader of the Jewish community, while Paul primarily preached to the Gentiles. They were both powerful men with different upbringings, histories, talents, personalities, educations, skills, and experiences. They were made uniquely perfect for their calling in their areas of influence. They each had their own strengths and their glaring weaknesses and were both used in mighty but very different ways.
Beyond the two of them, there was Luke, who wasn’t one of the twelve, but he loved God and was used to minister to an imprisoned Paul and wrote two books of the New Testament. He was a physician, and James and John were fishermen. Matthew was a tax collector, and Simon was a zealot. They were all very different and all used by God for His kingdom.
When we learn to appreciate and use the strengths that God has instilled in us, we gain fulfillment.
Breana Henry
We even see this concept in the medical field. Doctors focus their studies in different areas so that no need is left unmet. There are doctors who specialize in making sure new babies enter safely into the world, those who focus on cancers and disease within the body, and those who focus on bones, hearts, or skin. Just as the list goes on in the medical field, it can go on and on within the body of Christ because of the myriad of needs.
In Acts chapter 6, an issue arose among believers that would potentially be a detraction from the Apostles’ responsibilities of preaching and teaching. The apostles agreed they had found their place in the kingdom, and while this issue was important, they needed others to manage it for all to be successful. Seven trusted men who were full of God’s Spirit and had good judgement were selected to fulfill this important role. As a result of the seven stepping up to take on responsibilities and finding their niche, the kingdom of God grew. One person, or even twelve, cannot do it all. It takes the whole body, fitly joined together and working as one, to further the kingdom of God.
A church service needs individuals who are willing to be on the front end of making it move smoothly, but a church service is not the church, nor is it the only place for ministry. There are visitors who need a friend when they walk into the building on Sunday, but also a friend on Monday for a cup of coffee. There are toilets that need cleaning, new converts who need Bible studies, and more!
It takes the whole body, fitly joined together and working as one, to further the kingdom of God.
Breana Henry
Each individual’s strengths and passions can further the Kingdom and contribute to the body. God uses individuals in the context of their personality, as seen in the apostles. He accepts us as we are if we simply make ourselves available, and then helps us to grow, change, and develop along the way.
Yes, the hand needs the heart, and the foot needs the hip. When everything is working together and healthy, the body can be the most productive and efficient. We have a great commission, and it takes us all to fulfill it. We must not discredit ourselves and our abilities or compare ourselves to someone else. Let us embrace our role to fulfill our place in the kingdom of God.
Be the first to comment