But in fact, God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. – 1 Corinthians 12:18-20
Have you ever tried going out on your own? Whether it is finding a place to live, starting something new or chasing your dreams, there comes a point where you realise that you can’t do it entirely on your own. You always find out sooner or later that you need others to help you get to the next step…
No man is an island entire of itself; every man
is a piece of the continent, a part of the main;
John Donne (No Man is an Island)
We are all part of something larger and that something larger needs us to be part of it. God knew creation was for the purpose of the whole body and not just for Him and that is why he created Adam. Sharing creation with someone who was made in his likeness was important to God. However, God had his part to play, and Adam had another part. They worked together as a team and when Eve was created, she fitted in with her own unique part to play. When Adam and Eve sinned, not only did they feel it but so did God. When a part of a team fails, the other team members are affected.
Every time somebody goes out on their own, somebody else feels it. They are missed but even if their place is taken over by another person or thing it is never quite the same. You were important even if you or others didn’t know it at the time. Setting yourself apart and thinking that you can do it alone never quite works out. Even if you are successful on your own, it can feel hollow if you have no-one to share it with.
God never meant for us to be apart from others. We all given the talents, gifts, and idea that God wants us to have. They are unique to us, and our uniqueness is a vital part of the body. Parts of our body have their own uniqueness but without the rest of the body supporting them they are useless. Each part of our body works with other parts to complete tasks. Likewise, we need other people to help us complete tasks we could never do on our own. Even if we can do it on our own, we need to have the support of other people to acknowledge our accomplishment.
In order, to bring salvation to those who are apart from God, we need to work together and support each other in whatever role God has given us. Jesus although capable couldn’t do it apart either. He needed the disciples and God to help him through to achieve His goal. Jesus had and still has his own unique role in the body, and He isn’t out on his own, He is with us just as we are with all of those who make up the one body – the one body that God had ordained right from the start.
Originally published September 2018