Read: I Corinthians 12:12-27
Eight years into our marriage, we purchased our first home. As excited first time homeowners, we set out immediately to add little things to the property to put our signature on it. One of the additions was the planting of a fruit tree - Golden Delicious apples, to be exact. Once planted, fruit trees require three years to produce edible fruit. As our tree flourished, we waited expectantly for the year that we could get our first harvest.
The third year finally arrived. We watched the tree blossom and stood in awe as the apples began to grow. In mid-August, they were ready to be picked. While harvesting our long awaited crop, we noticed the strangest thing. Every apple had a hole in it as if someone had taken an ice pick and run it through the fruit. We were stunned. After waiting so long we now had fruit that had been ruined. But how? We decided to keep careful watch over the tree to try and solve the mystery. Days passed and we saw nothing. Yet we continued to harvest apples that had been damaged.
One day I was looking out the window into our backyard and noticed that the apple tree was shaking violently. I yelled for my husband, who assessed the situation, then went outside to get a closer look. He crept quietly toward the tree, certain that whatever was inside would be caught unawares. When he was approximately five feet from the tree, he heard an extremely loud bird call. Instantly a huge blackbird flew out of the tree. My husband turned in the direction of the sound and up on the roof of the house was a second bird. This one had played "look-out" for the vandal in the tree. How amazing is the animal kingdom!
No less amazing is the Body of Christ when it operates properly. The Lord has given us a marvelous analogy of how, as the children of God, we are to function. The human body is made of numerous systems. Each has the capacity to function independently. The respiratory system, for example, draws air into the body through the nose or mouth. It travels through the bronchial passages into the lungs. There an exchange takes place - oxygen is received into tiny alveolar (sacs) and carbon dioxide is breathed out of the body. Fascinating! Yet, the systems within the body are interdependent as well. Without the circulatory system, the oxygen received by the lungs would not circulate through the body to the awaiting blood and tissue cells. In the absence of union between the respiratory and circulatory systems, none of the cells of the remaining body would survive. Every one would malfunction!
We are individual members of the Body of Christ and are able to function independent of one another. We can worship the Lord all alone - hear His voice and follow His directives. Yet we cannot realize vitality and abundant living without communion with the other members of the Body. One may be gifted to discern things the Lord will do in the future, yet be totally clueless to what is happening right before his/her eyes. That is when the saint with wisdom in present day concerns can come alongside of him/her and fulfill what is lacking. Likewise that saint with future insight can assist the other in preparing for what God will be bringing to pass in latter days.
We NEED each other. Regardless of whether someone's gift or ability appears great or small, it IS necessary for the survival of the Body of Christ. Let's learn to appreciate each other's life and the resources that God has placed in each of us for the glory of His kingdom.
Prayer
Father, I thank You for my place in the Body of Christ and the gifts and talents You have given me for Your glory. Forgive me for viewing my gift with pride, elevating my importance over others OR forgive me for being ashamed of how little I seem to have to offer. For without the gift YOU have given me, where would the Body be? Amen.
