But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body just as He desired.
I Corinthians 12:18
What I like about reading God's word is the ability that it has to sustain me over a lifetime. Chapters that I read years ago continue to unfold and teach me even though " I thought I knew it." So, when I read I Corinthians 12, it's good to be reminded that God has placed the members in the body...just as He desired.
I think in the immediate context this has to do with who is a foot and who is an eye, etc. However, it also tells us that God has placed you where He wants you according to His desire. I found this comforting and liberating.
When you start to read this whole chapter, it also speaks to our tendency to compare ourselves to each other. All of us can't be (fill in the blank) with your favorite teacher. If we tried to be, we would be miserable and everyone around us would be turned off. If all of us were the same... there would be no body. It is the different members that actually allow the body to carry out the diversity of functions. I can't type with my eyeballs, and I can't see with my hair. I think if we began to see ourselves like I Cor 12 tells us to see ourselves, we would be kinder to one another; for we are members of one another. In another passage, we are told not to lie to each other because we are members of one another. If I dropped a bowling ball on my toe and the nerve endings told my brain: " all is well," I would be in trouble. I need my body parts to tell the others that I'm hurt. If my body starts lying to itself, I will have major problems in a hurry. When I treat my family with respect and kindness... I am essentially doing these things to myself ( because they are a part of me.) When I am rude and irritable and difficult, the whole family suffers. " If one members suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it."
Multiple times in the NT we see the phrase " each one" with regard to spiritual gifts. Each one of us has been given abilties by the Holy Spirit for the common good. How are you using your spiritual gift in the church right now ?
