1 Corinthians 12:18-20 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

Paul explained this so carefully and clearly that everyone should be able to grasp it, but sadly, we all tend to act like it’s not true. As I said yesterday, the principle is unity in diversity. That is clearly illustrated in marriage, as I also touched on yesterday. As I always tell couples, men and women are amazingly different, to the point that it’s remarkable that we can successfully ignore gender when doing blood transfusions. It is that very difference that makes marriage so valuable, as each contributes to the whole many things that the other cannot. Paul never experienced that personally, but I’m sure he observed it in such couples as Priscilla and Aquilla. He certainly recognized it as a vital principle in the Church, the Body of Christ, and that’s what he’s talking about here. Sadly, we can be amazingly dense on this point, demanding of others, and of ourselves, things that they or we are not, instead of allowing for and welcoming differences. We aren’t to focus on negatives, things that they or we cannot do, but rather seek to discover and encourage the various things we each can do. If we will do that, we will be amazed at all the Body of Christ can accomplish!

This is a lesson I’ve been slow to learn. As gifted as I was from childhood, I essentially thought I could do it all, and I tended to feel that if I couldn’t do it, it wasn’t important anyway. How stupid! God never made anyone all-sufficient in themselves; He made us to need each other. I have frankly rebelled against that, but the more I have grasped it, the more peace and happiness I have experienced. We have people in this church who seem sadly deficient in some areas, but in other areas they are gifted like no one else in the church! As the pastor, it is my job to discover people’s gifting with them and encourage them in the development and use of those gifts. That’s what Paul was talking about when he said that ministers are “to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” (Ephesians 4:12) If I try to do it all myself, I will not only wear myself out, I will deprive the other members of the joy of worshiping God through the exercise of their gifts. You’d think that by this point I would have learned this lesson better than I have! However, God is incredibly patient, and He’s still working on me.

Father, thank You for the progress I have made in this area. Thank You for Your anointing on the message Sunday and on my part in the online coaching seminar yesterday. May I indeed exercise the gifts You have given me, even as I encourage the believers to do likewise, so that the Body may be built up for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!