“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.” — 1 Corinthians 12:12
Many As One
A few weeks ago, we saw another Super Bowl victory for the New England Patriots and their future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady. And whether you love him or hate him, you have to see the value he has brought to his team since becoming the starting quarterback 18 years ago: nine Super Bowl appearances, six wins; three regular-season MVPs, four Super Bowl MVPs; Super Bowl record holder for most wins, passing yards, touchdowns; and the list goes on and on.
There is no doubting the fact that he is one of the most successful and valuable players of all time. But, do you realize that a team made up of nothing but Tom Bradys would be historically bad? The defense would be terrible. It would get destroyed on the offensive and defensive lines. It wouldn’t be able to run the ball, cover the other team’s wide receivers, and it would have the worst kicking game in the league as well. An 0-16 record, no doubt.
But that is the beauty of a team. No matter how valuable one piece is, it needs every part, every role to function in unity in order to flourish! This too is true of God’s people and His Church. It is no coincidence that Paul uses the term “body of Christ” throughout the New Testament. Many parts, many functions, many talents, all operating together as a single unit to the glory of God.
We have been given different gifts, different roles, different areas of influence in our lives, and God wants us to be who He has called us to be, where He has called us to be. I cannot be salt and light at your kids’ school, but you can! I can’t be an ambassador of Christ at your place of employment, but you can!
Let’s ask God to open our eyes to the unique talents, passions and opportunities He has given us, so that as His followers, we can confidently operate as He wants us to, in the places that He has called us to. And in doing that, we can truly be the body of Christ.
— Chris Kelty
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