I’m linking up at Sam’s Noggin today for her Wednesday in The Word LinkUp:
Following the S.O.A.P. method of Bible Study:
Scripture
14 Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. ~ 1 Corinthians 12: 14-20 NIV1984
Observation
I have heard sermons preached on this very piece of Scripture a dozen or more times. I even remember discussing it in a group Bible Study I participated in a few years ago. Two days ago this passage found it’s way in front of my eyes during my daily reading (a YouVersion Bible Reading Plan). My daughter interrupted me, causing me to go back and re-read the passage again. Then my son interrupted and I again had to go back to read the verses. It was on that final pass that fell the overwhelming sense that I really NEEDED to hear what was being said. God knows I have a fear of failure, of rejection. He also knows that in an attempt to fell included, good, special, wanted and needed I will assimilate whatever I see others around me finding success and joy in doing. It’s not that I can’t do what they are doing, or be what they are so happily being. The fact is I’m not supposed to be being you, I’m supposed to be being me. By being what God designed me to do (even if I can fill in for ‘you’ in a pinch) I will enjoy the sense of belonging to the whole, instead of just being a third eye, or sixth toe.
Application
What God has designed me for, whatever that purpose is, it is special, big, wonderful, and needed but not in a way that would please the world. It is important to He who made me. Before I tackle a new project or take off on some hair brained idea I need to stop and pray earnestly about whether this is in line with God’s plan and whether it is making the most use out of the gifts He gave me.
Prayer
Lord,
My insecurities and neurotic thoughts keep me reaching out for anything that might bring me into the “inner circle” of friends that I see chatting/tweeting/meeting around me. I need your Spirit everyday, to keep me focused on the only One where I already belong. I feel I know my gifts Lord, I am just too afraid of saying it out loud. Afraid I will be ridiculed. I would rather be ridiculed by those of this world than waste my time here doing nothing and miss out on eternity with you. Keep me from being a sixth toe in the body of Christ. You have already told me I am good enough, special enough, wanted, needed and loved. I pray that I will stop looking elsewhere for that which You have already given me.
Amen
