Humble Pie: Erasing the Lines — Friday
1 Corinthians 12:27
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (NIV)
Growing up, I played a lot of soccer. Throughout the years, I played each position at least once. I even had a brief stint of time when I played goalie. In my high school years, I most consistently played a position called “stopper,” which was right in between the defense and midfield. My coach commended me on my ability to see the field and anticipate what was happening next. I didn’t score very many goals in my position, but I still knew my position was important.
In 1 Corinthians 12, we are reminded that just like a body has many parts, so does the body of Christ. In the human body, each part is different yet uniquely important. They all work together to help us function. In the same way, there is unity and diversity in the body of Christ. In the Church, we all come together with unique interests, talents, and personalities—diverse yet unified.
We run into problems when we neglect our own gifts and wish we could be like someone else. We might compare ourselves to those with preaching talents or people who know the Bible far better than we do. Yet we are all on the same team when it comes to the body of Christ, and each part is important.
On a Sunday morning at Southland, someone could come to know Jesus because they were greeted with a warm smile by a greeter at the front door, or because the worship music really moved them, or because of a meaningful conversation they had with someone in the prayer room. And all those moments are able to happen because of the many people taking care of necessary tasks behind the scenes. Whether you serve with Music, Production, Children’s Ministry, Special Needs, Guest Experience, Medical/Security, or Care, each team here is vital for making the love of Jesus known to the people who walk through our doors. God uses many avenues to win people over to Christ, not just the person preaching the sermon.
Whether it’s here at Southland or in your everyday life, know that your unique gifts are perfect for the unique role that God is calling you to in God’s Kingdom. In the words of Dan Allender, “You are the only you this world will know, and something about your life is meant to make something about God known in a way no one else can do.”
Friday’s Reflection
Encourage someone today by affirming the gifts you see in them. Do you appreciate someone’s calm spirit? Someone’s hospitality? Encourage them in how God might be using them. We could all use a little more encouragement.
And if you’d like to explore where you might be able to use your gifts at Southland, check out our volunteer opportunities here!
