HOW DO YOU FEEL? (part-08)

DO YOU FEEL INSIGNIFICANT? YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO GOD!

BIBLE PASSAGE:
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!”
And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”
(1 Corinthians 12:21)

MEDITATION:
In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he reminded them of the importance
of the contribution of each person to the success of the church. The church
is not a building, but it is a conglomeration of many people who have many
different spiritual gifts which creates the church body as a whole.

Some are given gifts from the Lord that put them in visible positions,
while others have gifts that are used in less visible ways. Those with
visible gifts (such as teachers, preachers, missionaries, etc.) can feel
the pressure of expectations from others, and from God. The passion
for honoring the Lord and encouraging others to use their gifts can be
draining at times. They want to please the Lord by
‘spurring others toward love and good deeds’.
    And let us consider how we may spur
    one another on toward love and good deeds
    (Hebrews 10:24)

However those with less visible gifts are just as important. For instance,
imagine going into the sanctuary to worship and there is no heat in cold
weather, or no air conditioning in hot weather. If someone fails to prepare
the sanctuary for worship, the people who love the Lord and want to hear
what He has to say to them, will be distracted by the uncomfortable
conditions (and some may even leave).

In my opinion, it is the ones who serve the Lord in less visible ways who
are given a special ability to express their faith without the need for others
to notice and express appreciation for what they are doing. We all like to
get positive feedback, but they can continue serving faithfully without it.

Those in more visible positions have challenges as well. When they are
constantly ‘giving out’ to others, they need to ‘receive in’ as well. Why?
Because it can be draining to prepare and share what they believe God
wants others (and themselves) to hear. What helps them to keep serving
the Lord? They are not ‘built’ like those ‘behind the scenes’ so they are
‘fueled’ by support, feedback and encouragement.

We could cite many more examples, but Paul summed it up by reminding
us that we all need each other as part of the body of Christ (the church).
God has given each believer a valuable spiritual gift (or gifts) which will
fulfill the needs of others within the church, and make the church body
complete.

When reading Paul’s letter (which tells us that no one within the church
can say that another person is not needed), it reminds us that no believer
can say to the Lord, “I don’t need You”. Without Him, we will crumble
under the challenges that come our way. When we are on a mountaintop
and suddenly find ourselves in the valley of despair, the pain of the valley
can be much stronger, can’t it?

When we exclude the Lord, all we have left is our own strength, will,
and wisdom. God sees the entire parade of our life, but all we see is
the part in front of us. We all need His insight and guidance for the
long haul. Why? Because it helps get through the good times without
forgetting the Lord, and the times of turmoil when we discover our
great need for His presence.

ACTION:
Do you feel you are not needed by the church (the body of Christ)?
That is not what the scriptures say about you – you are a vital part
of the church body. You have a choice to use your special spiritual
gift (or gifts) from God, for contributing to the health of the church,
or to withhold it (or them) and create a void in the church body.

You might be saying,
    “I don’t know what my gift is”.
If you are not participating in any way, you may never discover His
gift to you. Worshipping and interacting with other believers opens
the door for God to show you His spiritual gift for you.

Initially, your gift may be your presence with the church body which
encourages the pastor who is trying to use the gift given to him by God.
To you, church attendance may seem insignificant, but to the pastor,
your presence, support, and encouragement provides great value. If
everyone who loves the Lord, saw no need to attend church, then the
body of Christ would die (as many churches are doing today due to a
lack of commitment from those who claim to be followers of Jesus).
    “For where two or three gather in
      my name, there am I with them.”
      (Matthew 18:20)

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I need You! You fill the voids in my life; You
give me guidance; You comfort me; You lift my spirit; You hear
my prayers; You give me confidence that I can endure hardships;
You give me spiritual gifts; and most of all, You love me and
consider me an important part of the body of Christ, the church.
Forgive me for creating a void within the church due to my own
selfishness. Impress on me the importance of my contributions
to the health of Your church body. Help me discover the spiritual
gift, or gifts, You have given me, and then to actively use them.”

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