One Body

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body.  Romans 12:4-5


It’s really easy to compare ourselves to others. Sometimes that leads us to think too highly of ourselves (see yesterday’s post on “sober judgment”!). Conversely, comparing ourselves with others sometimes leads us to think too little of ourselves. We wish we had someone else’s talents, someone else’s lifestyle, someone else’s skinnier, younger body.

People of the first century (the time of Jesus and Paul) were no different. Some would think, “Because I’m not a leader, I don’t count as much. Because I don’t preach, I’m not as important as the pastor.” Paul counters that untruth with the words of Romans 12:4-8. (He goes into even more detail in 1 Corinthians 12. Read that when you have time.) For those who think their gifts are more important … as well as for those who feel their giftedness is less significant … the word is the same: “In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us” (Rom. 12:5-6); but we are all part of the body.

Every single gift is critical. Do not resent the gift God has given you (thinking it is less, envying others); and don’t begrudge the gifts God has given others (as if yours is better, looking down on them). Be content with the part He’s given you to play. You have a role for which you are uniquely designed. So, as Paul says, if your gift is leading, lead. If God gave you the gift of teaching, teach. If serving, serve with joy. If encouraging is your thing, be generous with your affirmation and cheering, as if you were giving it to the Lord (see Colossians 3:23; Ephesians 6:7).

God has crafted you by His grace to be just what He wants you to be. Enjoy that. Celebrate it. Understand that even the rough places and the difficult experiences have shaped you for the unique role you play “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). And on the flipside, don’t expect others to be just like you. They are uniquely gifted by God’s grace too. Enjoy the diversity of Christ’s body; marvel in the ways each person is “uncommon.”

Prayer: Father, by Your design You give different gifts to each person, making each of us uncommon. Lead me to live in gratitude for how You fit all the pieces together. Amen.


#uncommon