Body

Romans 12:3-8 (The Message)

In this way we are like the various parts of a human body.

Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around.

The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body.

But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we?

So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't.

Casting Crowns has now famously asked the question:

But if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the Body Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?

Romans 12 seems to pretty clearly imply that the answer could be ...jealousy.

Maybe arms don't reach because they're more worried about hands that heal than what they're actually called to do.

Maybe feet don't go because they're too busy having a pity-party for themselves about not being words, arms or hands.

Ouch.

That spiritual trap is definitely one I've fallen into before, and I imagine we all have at one time or another.

When we think about relationships ---- we have to start by acknowledging that sometimes evil lurks in our jealousy of each other's good, God-given gifts.

What might be possible if we spent time really knowing which part of the body we are...and how we add to its overall unity and effectiveness?

What if we believe that God's love for us is displayed in making us a "foot," or a "hand?"

It's really an amazing and humbling metaphor given to us in scripture...we are the body of Christ.

What a wonderful thing to know.

We really do need each other...and the world needs us to get our act together, in love.

Prayer: In your wisdom, you have given us different gifts. It is so easy to despise our own gifts and covet someone else's. Forgive us when we sin in that way and help us to see the special roles that you've designed each of us to play.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Tomorrow's Scripture: Mark 10:35-45