Find your spot
“There is one body, but it has many parts. But all its many parts make up one body. It is the same with Christ. We were all baptized by one Holy Spirit. And so we are formed into one body. It didn’t matter whether we were Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free people. We were all given the same Spirit to drink. So the body is not made up of just one part. It has many parts.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-14
I really enjoy puzzles. I love the challenge of putting each piece in place until the final picture emerges. The excitement builds until I get to that last piece. However, nothing is so disappointing as discovering that the last piece is lost. The 2,000-piece puzzle looks broken without it. The ultimate pinnacle is not reached and the beauty of the puzzle is diminished.
Like a puzzle, the body of Christ consists of many pieces or parts, which together make a complete picture. God has equipped each believer with particular gifts that are necessary for what God has called him or her to do. When that person is missing or not able to carry out his role, an important part of God’s plan is missing. Not only does that person miss out on being part of God’s great puzzle, but all the other pieces are affected.
Sometimes you have a piece of puzzle that you know fits somewhere, but where is a mystery. It is only when other pieces are in the place that it can be placed in its unique position. It is the same with some ministries and people within the church. It is not immediately obvious how they fit into the body of the church. But God hasn’t made a mistake!
It is only when others are doing their bit that everyone can find their rightful place. Take ownership of your place in the puzzle. Are you a lost piece, one that dropped off the table? Are some of your edges worn down or not fitting smoothly? How can you fit better into God’s puzzle? Your decisions can sabotage God’s perfect fit, so align your decisions with God’s ways.