The Body of Christ

I just couldn't wait until tomorrow to share this one!  I had an epiphany this week! ...One I am so sure is so true, it has made my week and my relationships better!  I can't wait for you to see this with me!

"So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God." Romans 7:4

Growing up in the Midwest, I have learned to "do life" in a certain way.  It was good and it worked and it seemed that the people around me "did" life in a similar way.  Then I moved to North Carolina.  In three years I have not connected with people the way I used to...in fact, I feel almost rejected for the way I "do life" because it's different than the North Carolina norm.

Then, in a beautiful and fruitful conversation with my mom the other day, God revealed a truth.  Now, I think I know "why."  We are not made to be the same...we are not even made to be similar other than in the facts that we are all creation of God and a part of the BODY of Christ (The Church).  We were created to be different, have different gifts and strengths, and a different way of showing our work so that we can all work together so God can fulfill His work through us and we can bring Glory to His name.

"Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 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 stop being part of the body. 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? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body." 1 Corinthians 12:15-20

So, here's the point...We were created as many parts to the one body of Christ.  A mouth may be the sharer of His Word.  An ear may be the one who listens without judgement to a friend in need.  A hand may be the one who works to provide and comfort.  A foot may be the one who brings His Word to foreign lands.  We all have a place in the body and therefore a part to play.  Following that illustration, I realized that maybe I'm an elbow or a leg for the body of Christ, and no one has ever seen one before, so they don't know what one looks like (or acts like)...  Does that make sense?  People search for conformity...round pegs to fit round holes...but Christ was not conformity.  Christ was a square peg in a round hole.  He did not match the pattern...therefore, logically, we should not fit the round hole either.  When we realize this, not only will we be happier and get along easier, but we will accomplish MORE for the body of Christ.

If we stop asking every Christian (every member of the Body of Christ) to conform to the pattern of  his mouth or hands or feet, we may begin to see (in the big picture) what an ear or shoulder or knee looks like, and therefore make a complete body.  I'm not sure exactly where I fit into the body or what my role is, but I do know that because I am in Christ, I am a part of His body!  So, consider this week, what part does God want you to play in His body?  When He reveals it to you, be INTENTIONAL in showing the rest of the Body and the WORLD what you look like.