We Are the Body | 1 Corinthians 12

Welcome to Real Life. You do you, and I'll do me.

“To be yourself in a world

that is constantly trying to make you something else

is the greatest accomplishment.”

–Ralph Waldo Emerson

I love to sing. Years ago, I auditioned to be a soloist for a church program. Everything was fine until I attempted to reach some high notes. My voice cracked. (Embarrassing!) As much as I love to sing and desire to glorify God through song, plain and simple, my voice is not good enough to sing solos. God has not given me that gift.

I learned something that day. God chooses our place in the body of Christ. Some of us are heads that lead, hands that serve, feet that go, and lips that sing.

“But in fact God has placed the parts in the body,
every one of them,
just as he wanted them to be.”
(1 Corinthians 12:18 NIV)

“God, why did you make me like this?” Perhaps, like me, you’ve asked him this question. We look at others smiling and singing solos and wonder, “Why can’t I be like her?” But the reality is I can’t be you and you can’t be me. God has given us different gifts, and passions, and abilities. Different is not bad. Different is not less than. The apostle Peter and the apostle Paul were night and day different. Peter was a poor, uneducated fisherman. Paul was a wealthy, erudite Pharisee. God chose them both to be apostles. In the role of apostle, however, they served differently. Peter was an apostle to the Jews. Paul was an apostle to the Gentiles. One was not better than the other—just different. God used them both to grow his church!

Shouldn’t we all desire to be like Jesus? Yes, absolutely! But Christlikeness will look different on you than it does on me. God created us differently on purpose so that we need each other and work together to fulfill kingdom purposes. The eye is not the foot. Although the eye can see where it would like to go, it needs feet to take it there. The eye and foot perform vastly different functions, but are equal members of the body. Like it or not, I cannot join the worship team. I can, however, write a blog. And that’s the key—supporting the body of Christ through embracing the unique gifts God has given us.

My friend Barb describes herself as a white blood cell in the body of Christ. When someone is injured and bleeding, white blood cells rush in to clot the blood and stop the bleeding. When Barb sees someone emotionally injured and bleeding, like a white blood cell, she rushes in to help heal the hurt and stop the bleeding. Barb embraces the unique role God has given her in the body of Christ.

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.

There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.

There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone

it is the same God at work.”

(1 Corinthians 12:4-6 emphasis mine)

Instead of asking, “God, why did you make me like this?” perhaps we could ask, “Because you’ve made me this way, what would you like me to do? Where do I fit in the body of Christ?” God loves to answer this question!

I am the body. You are the body. We are the body of Christ. He's given each of us unique gifts. Though we may be vastly different, it is the same awesome God at work in you and in me!

Dear Father God,
Thank you for creating each of us uniquely.
Help us recognize the gifts you’ve given us,
And use them for your kingdom and your glory.
Teach us to appreciate those who serve differently than we do.
May we all work together in unity as the body of Christ.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Take it further:

Are you struggling to discover your place in the body of Christ? This free online spiritual gifts assessment might help: Spiritual Gifts Survey
Read 1 Corinthians 12.

Hands Writing Image by Canva

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