May 7 | I Corinthians 12:12-31
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DAILY READING
I Corinthians 12:12-31
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REFLECTION
Heads, Shoulders, Knees & Toes
by Elaine Pierce
My 18-month-old grandson loves to sing "Heads, Shoulders, Knees & Toes" with me. But he is especially happy to point out his belly when you ask him where it is. And he loves to show you where your nose is while he's not so interested in finding his own. It's great fun to watch children develop language, and action songs like 'heads, shoulders, knees and toes' have stood the test of time - they're fun for kids, and they get results.
What about we grownups? We certainly know where our heads, shoulders, knees and toes are, don't we? And we understand how the head can't survive without the rest of the body, and how, when we don't have everything in working order, we suffer physically, which can lead to emotional and mental problems as well. We read I Corinthians 12 and we agree that, yes, every member of the body has an important role to play. And yet, if we are honest, we will admit that at times we wish we had a more 'glamorous' gift - that we were a star/head and not a supporting cast member/little toe.
Oh, how easy it is to want what we don't have. To think that the grass is greener on the other side. To see the glass as half empty, not half full. Read these verses and meditate on this deep truth:
God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. (v. 24-26)
A dear friend of ours who lives out of town has visited us several times, and we always bring him to UALC when he is here on a Sunday. He is especially impressed with our pastors' sermons. He had the opportunity to personally thank Aaron for his message the last time he was here, and this was Aaron's response: Thank you. I am grateful to be able to use my gift.
That is the attitude we can all share - thanks to God that we have gifts and that we can share them to build up the body. So whether you are a head, a shoulder, a knee, or a toe, God will use you if you let him. Remember, it's not about you, and it never was. It's about how we at UALC can serve one another, which will lead to kingdom glory. When people come to our church, they will say, look at how they love and serve one another!
PRAYER PRACTICE
Thank you, Lord, for the gift of the Holy Spirit, and for the gifts I have received as a believer. Help me to use whatever gift you have given me to build up the body, and help me to be content with how you have gifted me. Amen.
