1 Body - Many Parts

     I am always amazed at how God works.  Throughout this support team building journey, I have at times felt very overwhelmed at the magnitude of the calling.  Recently, I was in my personal devotion time and God took me through 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 where it is speaking that we are all one body with many parts.  Each part has its part to play.  This has been a constant focus of mine throughout the past couple of weeks specifically! 

     There was a time in my life that I was running from God's will and plan for my life.  This was actually about a 10 year period.  I still loved God and was still a good person.  Still went to church, gave in my tithes and offerings and even volunteered at the church with various things.  But there was still something that was wrong... I was in disobedience...  God specifically called me at 12 years old to be a minister of the gospel!  Here I was doing everything but that and justifying it, because I wasn't a bad person and I was still involved in our local church.  I was not being the part of the body that I was called to be!  It says in verse 15 that if the foot should say "because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body", it would not for that reason cease to be a part of the body... You see, we are all called to a specific calling and we are equipped and gifted from the time of our conception for that very purpose! (Jeremiah 1:5)  If we are not fulfilling that purpose, the body is not operating at its full ability!  

     Example: Have you ever stumped your little toe?  Something so small in relationship with our bodies, that turns out to be so debilitating when it is not functioning properly!  

     So is the same case when we are not operating in our calling.  We become the symbolic toe causing the body to limp around and move at half speed and create a constant sense of strain and tension and pain among the other members of the body!  When we look in Acts 2:42-47, we see a group of people all in one accord operating in their gifting and we see the gospel spreading and lives changing!  

     In relationship with support team building, God has been showing me more and more clearly, that even before I knew that this was His direction for our lives, He equipped us for this! And it doesn't end there... He has called specific individuals, churches, groups, and businesses to be a part of our team!  Not everyone is supposed to be a part of this specific ministry body!  The fine line is that everyone is called to something!  We have to all be in prayer to see what God is asking each of us to do.  We are all part of one body, but each part has a job to do!  Once we know what we are supposed to do, we are to be obedient and faithful in that!  Otherwise, even though we may be good people or we may be busy doing many great things out of our love for God, we are still operating in disobedience!  Just as we are created to fulfill a purpose, so is everyone else!  Don't fill someone else's calling!  And don't be jealous of their calling either!  Remember, the God of the Universe, loves you and created you specifically for your purpose!  No one can fulfill your destiny and calling like you!  Likewise, it is true for others too!!!  So be obedient and be who you were created to be!!! There is no greater fulfillment, then fully walking in God's will for your life!!!  

Blessings,

Phillip