Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. And there are different activities, but the same God is active in everyone and everything. A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person to produce what is beneficial. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 HCSB
Several times a year, I facilitate a class designed to help people discover and understand their ministry within the local church. Without fail, someone approaches me after class and says, “I’m glad that I’m taking this class, but I just don’t feel like what I have to offer is really important. It’s not like I’m one of the pastors or the worship leader.”
Imagine that your body is the Body of Christ. You have two legs, two arms, two eyes, two ears, one stomach, two lungs, one heart, etc… What would happen if your liver decided to stop functioning because all of its work was done behind the scenes? It would stop its detoxification of your body and things would get bad really quick. What would happen if your ears suddenly decided to stop serving the body? The other parts of your body would have to overcompensate to make up for the loss. What if you lost your little toe? You would suddenly discover how much it helped you maintain your balance. Every part of the body is important and necessary.
I once heard musician/comedian Mark Lowry tell a story about surrendering to the call God was placing on his life. He went to his dad and told him that he wasn’t sure that he was hearing God correctly. Mark wondered if he should seek after a more traditional ministry position within a local church. His dad smiled and said, “Son, remember this, if God calls you to be a ditch digger, you would be taking a step down to be president.”
If you have a relationship with Jesus, then you are a necessary part of the body of Christ. Without you, the body of Christ can’t be complete. Without you, the church can’t fulfill the purposes that God has set before us.
JohnJFrady.com 