I had an incident last Friday that confirmed one particular biblical truth. We were utilizing a gift certificate to one of our favorite restaurants and as soon as we were seated, I reached out for one of the rolls set before us so that I could cut in half and butter it even more. The problem was that the knives in our napkin were steak knives and not butter knives. That being said, I sliced the tip of my index finger instead. It was a fairly small cut but I bleed easily. Thank God that my wife had a band aid in her purse and, using part of a napkin, made a makeshift but effective bandage. Because of it, our meal had no more interruptions and we enjoyed it like we always do. On Sunday morning, I had a newer and more secure bandage on my index finger and felt everything was going on as usual, that is, until I tried putting on my tie. That usually takes me less than a minute but this time, I struggled so long that I almost gave up. Although it didn’t come out the way I expected, by God’s grace I finally succeeded. The biblical truth it reminded me of was this: The tip of my index finger is a very small member of my body, yet it is very necessary. Life just wouldn’t be the same without it.
In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he reminded them that the church is one body which is comprised of many members. (parts) Though some are bigger and seem to be more crucial than others, even the small members/parts are necessary. He wrote: “Nay, much more those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary.” (1 Cor. 12:22) If I wasn’t totally convinced of that eternal truth before, I am now. In the human body, some parts get more credit and are given more care and attention than others. For example, we shudder at the fear of not having full use of our eyes, arms, legs, and feet, etc. It is the same at work, home, and even church. We often worry about what we would do if we didn’t have our leaders and more prominent people, never realizing just how crucial and how much we need the least prominent members.
One reason that I brought up this incident about my index finger cut is because many people in the workplace, home, and even church often sell themselves short, not realizing just how important and necessary they are. Another truth is that God has placed us all in the body exactly where we belong. I Corinthians 12:18 says that He: “has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.” Regardless of the part you represent in the body of Christ, whether big, small, visible, or unseen, you are just as vital as are the parts of your physical body. Whether at home, work, or church, do your part, and do it with all your heart. The rest of the body needs you.
God’s word for today: (Psalm 139:14) “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.”
