teammates
Talent scout. Recruiter. General Manager. Sometimes I conceptualize my role with sports’ analogies. I think in terms of a team. Who works well together? Which combinations allow people’s gifts to shine?
A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:7(CEB)
Paul uses the analogy of the human body, with each part working together to serve the whole. Our talents are intended to be exercised for the good of a fellowship, for the benefit of the community. But our sense of what is needed, what belongs, often interferes.
Sometimes we don’t feel valued, or we don’t like the position we play. The foot wants to be the hand; the ear wants to be the eye. Is it prestige, or that some parts get more attention? We don’t always recognize our own gifts, or understand the importance of our role.
The flipside of not valuing our own contributions is not recognizing our teammate’s talents. When the eye says that it doesn’t need the hand or the head thinks it doesn’t need the feet. Paul reminds us that this is an upside-down kingdom. In Christ’s body, things work the opposite of what we would expect.
Instead, the parts of the body that people think are the weakest are the most necessary. The parts of the body that we think are less honorable are the ones we honor the most. The private parts of our body that aren’t presentable are the ones that are given the most dignity. 1 Cor. 12:22-23(CEB)
We need everyone, every part, to work together. Which means we must value our own contributions and honor those of others. Two sides of the same coin. Mutual need, mutual respect, mutual concern. The isolation of the pandemic wasn’t good for us. The individualism of our culture makes this more challenging. Paul is clear that being a Christian on our own is not the way we are designed. We are not complete without each other.
If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part gets the glory, all the parts celebrate with it. You are the body of Christ and parts of each other. 1 Cor 12:26-27(CEB)
Rev. Terrance Thomas, my colleague at Bethel, talks about getting people off the bench and back in the game. Sometimes a team member has been injured; they need time for healing, and then the encouragement try their skills again. Other times we need to cheer louder and celebrate someone’s win.
May we each understand our value in the body. May we honor each other’s gifts. May we all contribute to health and wholeness. And may the Spirit inspire each one to serve and be served.
-Renée