One Body, Many Members

I had to privilege of jamming my pinky Sunday night at the dog park. I say it's a privilege only because it's been a spiritual lesson for me. While it has been painful and very annoying God has spoken to me through my injury.

It's amazing how the simplist tasks have become difficult for me as my smallest finger has been out of commission. Simple things being tedious tasks. My handwriting suddenly looked like chicken scratch and pushing enter with my pinky was no longer an option on the keyboard. I drank with my pinky in the air as it was unable to bend. It's amazing how often I would use my pinky on accident and experience tremendous pain. It really had me thinking about my body and how each part plays a significant role even though we may think it doesn't.

I reflect on 1 Corinthians 12: 15-30, One Body & Many Members.

15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

While my finger has been injured I have been trying to reflect on this scriputre and just how God has found significance in each of us an our purpose as the body. We cannot function the way that God intended for us to function apart from the rest of the body. I may still be able to do a lot with an injured finger, but some tasks are suddenly more difficult. Remember you have a very specific role as a part of the body, and without you the body cannot function the way that it was intended to function.

I am grateful for the injury soley because I can reflect more on this truth. Happy to be part of the body!