Be the hand that God calls you to be
But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. … And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 1 Corinthians 12: -20-22, 26-27
“Quit whining and be the hand that God called you to be.” As I was driving to a conference, God gently dropped that thought into my spirit. Isn’t it like the Lord to gently encourage us to a different way of thinking?
I thought about how if the physical body is missing a part, an arm or a leg, or those parts don’t work, we consider that person to be handicapped or disabled. If the limb is missing, that person is then fit with a prothesis. It replaces the missing part and does the job but not as well as the original part.
The church is full of missing body parts – people who are trying to be the prothesis in some gifting or ministry. In many cases, those parts are desperately needed, but it doesn’t work as well as it should. It makes for a dysfunctional body of Christ.
On an individual basis, what part does God want us to be? How does he want us to serve? My guess is, the most asked question in Christian circles is “How do I know the will of God for my life?” While I can’t tell you what God wants you to do, I can tell you he has a plan for your life.
About a year and a half ago, I was unemployed. The business journal that I worked for stopped publishing. As I was looking for employment in the area where I lived, I prayed for God to help me find a job.
After nearly six months of looking and several interviews, there was nothing. Suddenly, I found myself looking at a job in a field that I really didn’t like, but I had asked God for a job, and there it was. I really didn’t think I could say no because He answered my prayer.
Here’s where you might think I found the job of my dreams and I lived happily ever after. No, but after submitting my will to God and taking that job, he opened something better that I didn’t even apply for.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for helping us to find the part we need to play in the body of Christ. I thank you that you know us inside and out and your will is perfect. We thank you for a God that loved us enough to send His Son to the cross to die for us. Help us to be open to what you have for us.
Discussion questions:
- What do you believe is God’s will for your life? Speak from your heart without hesitation.
- What steps can you take to move forward in that area of ministry?
- What do you think about submitting your will into God’s hands? How does that make you feel?
Action steps:
Here are a few things to think about if you are wondering what God’s will is for your life:
- First and foremost, seek God in prayer and Bible study.
- Step out in areas that are close to your heart. Do you play music? Is there an opportunity to provide music in your church? Do you like to serve? Volunteer with a soup kitchen or offer to bring meals to those in need.
- Make the decision to surrender your will to God.
- Seek wise counsel with those that would pray with you and support you in your walk with Christ.