ROMANS 12:4-5

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

TO PONDER

If the building or 'temple' metaphor is one of the apostle Paul's favourite ways to talk about the church, then the 'body of Christ' metaphor would have to be the other.

It makes sense doesn't it. We all know how one injury or illness in one part of our body makes us feel unwell generally. A broken leg doesn't just affect the leg in isolation, but the whole rest of the body suffers the pain along with the leg and other parts have to compensate while the leg heals. Just like a bad headache doesn't just effect your head, it influences your concentration, emotional state and the capacity of the rest of your body to attend to regular everyday tasks.

Paul goes on in this passage from Romans to explain that if the whole body were just an eye, there would be no sense of smell. Likewise, is the whole body was a nose then how would we hear? Just as each part of the body has a specific function, so to does every member of the church. Let's put it another way, Paul is essentially saying there is no such thing as an appendix or tonsils in the Body of Christ. There is no part that you can simply take away without having a negative effect on the rest of the body, we all need each other.

Sure, sometimes it's hard to look past the 'glamorous' parts of the body, those who stand up the front and are always seen 'doing' the work, but so much of what happens in a body is unseen and yet often more important to the health and functioning of the body that what is seen on the outside. So today we acknowledge the 'behind closed doors' prayers, the 'while no one is looking' encouragers, the 'I can do that' helpers and servants who don't always get recognised or valued. If you are one of those people doing this devotion today, we love you and we need you in the church. If you are not one of those people and often find yourself out front being the face or voice of the operation, thank God for those who quietly get busy doing the work God has prepared for them to do, which allows you to get out and do what you have been gifted and called to do. We all have a part to play and we are all in this together to the glory of God the Father. Amen

PRAYER: Lord of the Church, I thank you for the gift that you have made us to one another. Please help me to always recognise the gifts that you have given my brothers and sisters in our church community and help us all to celebrate and encourage one another as members of your body, the church. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle