Is there a gap because of you?

In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. (Romans 12:4-5 MSG)

A chosen people with a chosen purpose. There is much to be unpacked behind that statement but let me tell you there are a lot of people within some church congregations working against their 'chosen purpose' than there are working with it. It is as though they know God has a purpose for them, but they are doing everything they can to never fulfill that purpose. Whenever we forsake our 'calling' (PURPOSE), we are leaving the Body of Christ with a gap that was meant to be filled by us. That gap can be quite wide when there are a whole bunch of people not willing to fulfill their purpose!

We each have a function and meaning - no one is exempt from having a function, but not all will 'function' as they are called to. Some will warm the pews, while others will neaten up and ready those pews for each service. Others will diaper bums and walk off the whimpers of wee ones, while some will walk right on past those struggling parents without even batting an eyelash. Many will donate clothes and blankets for the homeless shelter, but few will give their time to see them fed each evening. The 'function' you choose to ignore may be the most important one today.

Each part gets it meaning ONLY when the WHOLE body is functioning as it should. A finger is useless without the hand to utilize it. A liver has no significant purpose were it not for the blood that passes through it constantly requiring filtering. An eye is nothing without the brain to interpret the sights one beholds. If the physical body has so many interdependent parts, each functioning uniquely and purposefully, how is it we can ignore the interdependence of the parts of God's family? I need you and you need me - together, we fulfill a purpose specifically designed by God himself.

Finding your meaning and function as a part of his body may not always seem all that important to some, but if we want the Body of Christ to be a mighty force the devil has to run and hide from, we all need to be fulfilling our purpose! Know this - the enemy of our soul would like nothing more than to see that gap created by our not fulfilling our purpose in the Body of Christ. He likes it when the Body has huge gaps! Why? He knows those gaps mean a weakened Body. It means something will be left undone - someone will be left untouched by the gospel of grace. You won't know how impactful your life will be until you finally begin to find your meaning and function within the Body of Christ. Just sayin!