Saturday, September 10, 2011

Bodily Functions

Have you ever tried to write with your toes? Maybe you have made such an attempt, even somewhat successfully! But what about smelling with your ears, or looking with your nose? I know, it’s pretty ridiculous. When we try to use the members of our body for tasks they were not made for, it just doesn’t work.
Sometimes we do this as Christians when we serve in a ministry that doesn’t really fit with our spiritual gifting. I have been there, trying to serve in a ministry just because there is a need even when it does not fit my gifting. A need does not necessitate a call. Sometimes not stepping up will motivate (or challenge) others who are gifted in that area to serve. Where are you in this spectrum? Are you willing to serve a bit too quickly, becoming heavy-burdened in the process? Are you letting others do all the work of ministry, while you are content to be idle?
Look at this excerpt from 1 Corinthians 12: 
“The body is not one member, but many...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” (vv. 14, 17-18).
This passage goes on to explain that every believer in Jesus Christ is a member of His “body.” Each one of us -- including you fellow Christian -- has an important, vital role to play, just as each individual body part is vital to the functioning of the entire body. 
What spiritual gifts has God given you? (Be assured, if you are a born-again believer, you do have spiritual gifts!) What about other talents and interests, such as music or art? Are you serving the Lord with the gifts and abilities God has entrusted to you? Maybe you are one of those who is trying to write with your foot or smell with your ears. Don’t “become” the hand if you are to be the foot. Encourage others who have those abilities step up and serve. Everyone has something to offer, including you.
If you don’t know your spiritual gifts, the best way to discover them is to study what the Bible says about each one. Obviously, that takes some serious time and contemplation. In the meantime, consider where you enjoy serving, what you are drawn to do, and what others say about you and your gifting. Ask the Lord to help you know where and how you can serve Him in your church and community. Don’t let others try to take the place that God has for you in His body. If you are a foot, walk like one!
Blessings,
Rachel

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