A Perfect Fit

I Corinthians 12:12 Our bodies have many parts, but the many parts make up only one body when they are all put together. So it is with the “body” of Christ…14 Yes, the body has many parts, not just one part…17 Suppose the whole body were an eye—then how would you hear? Or if your whole body were just one big ear, how could you smell anything?  18 But that isn’t the way God has made us. He has made many parts for our bodies and has put each part just where he wants it. [TLB]

“Our Maker gives assignments to people, “to each according to each one’s unique ability.”  As he calls, he equips. Look back over your life. What have you consistently done well? What have you loved to do? Stand at the intersection of your affections and successes and find your uniqueness.”  Max Lucado  – Cure for the Common Life

Finding out which “part” of the body of faith you are can be challenging and confusing.  Churches recognize that and try to help offering “find your Spiritual gift” classes.  The intimidating thing about those classes is our mind goes first to the “highlight’s” list: preaching, teaching, healing, discernment and maybe even the grand service of the mission field.  That’s a big list that most of us are not quite able to see ourselves in.  Instead our choices become the confusing: “I don’t fit into any of those” or the challenging “I should.”  Those are unworthy and limited choices that have nothing at all to do with the truth in I Corinthians.  

Therein lies the beauty of that wisdom from Max Lucado.  It takes every “part” to complete the body.  Any gift put together with the body and your love of Christ is vital to complete his image.  I’ve seen the love of sewing, knitting, artwork and even technology elevated to become valued gifts in the body of Christ.  They become the eyes and ears of the image of Christ in the church and are gap fillers for the world outside to see as well. Those may seem to be unlikely gifts but when dedicated to Christ they have Spiritual power to draw others into the body too.  Isn’t that the whole point of spiritual gifts?  

Don’t waste another minute on discovering where you don’t fit!  Look for that “intersection” Lucado speaks of in your life as a believer.  Then consider this: God has given you that “gift” to make you a perfect fit for the body of Christ.  “He has made many parts for our bodies and has put each part just where he wants it.