Body Language

Have you ever known someone who was deaf or blind? It’s very frustrating not
to be able to do something with your body that everyone else can do. If you stop
and think for a moment you can probably remember a time when you wanted to do
something but your body would not cooperate.

Open up your Bible and let’s look at 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. Read those
verses a couple times.

Did you catch the word “body”? What does Paul mean? The body Paul is talking
about isn’t a human being, but the Church. Did you ever stop to think about God
and church? Sometimes we forget that God is the one who thought up the idea of
church. He created it so that we would have a place to get together and be
encouraged by each other. He also created the church to accomplish His plans on
earth. For 2000 years, God has been using churches to spread the message of
Jesus and the hope He brings to life.

Now where do you fit in there? You may think, “It’s not important if I’m at
church. I’ve got nothing to offer. I’ve only been a follower of Christ for a
short time. Surely God doesn’t want to use me.” But if you think that, you are
thinking something that is not true. In fact, remember 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 that we read
last week? You actually have a job to do, a message to share with the world, and
the church can help you do that. How you ask?

Reread those verses in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. Paul says everyone has a gift. The church needs
everyone. Otherwise, the church risks becoming one-dimensional, everyone being
the same. That is not what God had in mind. Every person who is saved by Jesus
has a part to play in the church, even you.

What do you need to do? First, go to church. Meet people both older and
younger than you. Give them a chance to get to know you. Remember you are
looking to be discipled and that means you need to be around other people who
know more about Jesus than you do. Your church is not perfect and it probably is
not exactly how you would design it, but it is still God’s design for helping
you.

Second, offer to help. If you have a talent or ability, let people know that
you are willing to volunteer your time at the church. Your church is looking for
someone just like you. In fact, in many churches the majority of the work is
done by just a few very tired people. They will not only welcome your help, but
you will be loved and appreciated for your willingness to serve.

Take a few minutes and thank God for the church that you attend. Thank God
for creating a place to get His business done on earth. Thank Him that it was
through the work of a church that you came to know Christ. Thank Him for
allowing you to serve in the church. Ask God to reveal your assignment in the
church.

Have you learned the verse you are memorizing this week? John 3:16. Work on that for a few minutes
today!