1 Corinthians 12-14

One of the BEST analogies I’ve ever read is contained in 1 Corinthians 12, where Paul compares the body of Christ (the people who make up the church) with a human body.  His writing is so clear and concise in this section.  I love this part:

And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?

¹⁸ But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. ¹⁹How strange a body would be if it had only one part! ²⁰ Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. ²¹ The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”

²² In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. ²³ And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, ²⁴ while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. ²⁵ This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. ²⁶ If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.

 

It’s a great reminder to be content in the positions I find myself in and in the gifts that I have been given.  It’s silly to wish away my life, wishing that I had been given fantastic athletic ability so that I would now be an Olympian.  I am right where God has placed me.  And, in this moment at least, I’m content.