By Jim Supp, Campus Pastor @MBCLoudoun

Today’s Meditation

14 For the body is not onemember, but many. 15If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 19If they were all one member, where would the body be?” ~ 1 Corinthians 12:14-19

Devotional

When you consider your life in relation to the Body of Christ – this family we have been talking about – do you see yourself as critical?  I understand that no one is indispensable and that we should always guard against pride.  I mean, Paul did tell us to ‘not think more highly of ourselves than we ought to, but to think with sober judgment.’  (Romans 12:3)  At that same time Paul is also clear that the functioning of the Body (or the Family of Christ) rests on each one’s critical contribution.  It’s easy for us to think that we can just blend in and be inconspicuous during church services.  If we don’t get involved is anyone really going to miss us?  We might ask ourselves “what do I have to offer?”  But in 1 Corinthians 12 Paul also clearly indicates that if parts of the body are missing “where would the body be?”  The truth is, God is the one who constructed the Body, and He is the one who gave each one its place.  The expectation of the living God is that we discern our place, that we function by His power in that place and that we don’t minimize our own place, or anyone else’s, for that matter.  Sometimes it seems that there are parts in the Body of Christ that have gone to sleep independently of the rest of the Body.

Most churches in America have a membership process that people engage to become ‘members.’  (Membership is a huge discussion that we cannot tackle here.)  Most churches also have a designation on their roles as that of ‘inactive member.’  Hmm.  Is there really a place in the Body of Christ for people who aren’t ‘active?’  Isn’t the better question – is there a problem created when body parts aren’t functioning?  It may take time for some of us to understand what part we best play in the Body of Christ, but it is imperative that each one of us seek to figure it out.

As we wrap up the devotionals for our Fall Initiative – “Becoming a Family Expecting Guests” – I pray that each person who attends MBC Loudoun would understand the critical role that they play in our midst.  Never underestimate what God can and will do with you in the Body when you submit to Him, and let Him create just the right place for you.  God bless.

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