Sunday, 21 December 2014
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 1 Corinthians 12:21
The eye is an important part of the body. It receives the light and discerns between various objects and what the distance between those objects is. It allows for the body to know where it is going, where the food is, who different people are, etc. Some might say that without the eye, the body would be in a bad way. But if the eye decided it was the most important part of the body, even to the point of the exclusion of other parts, it would be overreaching its importance.
The eye might say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” However, the hand is the member that is able to grasp the food that feeds the body. The eye can’t do that. The hand is the one that defends against attacks against the body. The eye can’t do that either. If the hand wasn’t there, the eye would quickly perish.
Likewise, the head may say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” Yes, the head is important. Without the head, we would be dead. But without the feet, the body wouldn’t be complete. The feet take us where we need to go. Without them, the head would be left stuck in one place, unable to get to the pool of water to drink. It wouldn’t be able to climb the mountain or enjoy a day by the beach. The head would be silly to think it could do without the feet.
And the same is true with the members within the church. Each has a purpose and each provides a necessary function which complements the whole. Just because one member thinks it is pretty great stuff doesn’t mean that it is more important than any other.
Life application: It is certain that you need the other members of the body, so try to recognize their importance. Don’t be fooled into believing that they are without value. If the Lord has saved them and the Spirit has given them a gift, they are valued by the Creator Himself!
Wondrous God! How wise You are in all that You do. Everything has a purpose and even the things which seem out of place for a moment always fit into a perfectly executed plan. When I see trials and troubles in my life, I just need to remember this. What may seem evil is certainly being used by You for good. Help me to trust that this is true. I know You have it all under control! Amen.