Functioning as One
Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? (I Corinthians 12:27-29)
A colony of bees is a like a living creature with a circulatory system, a digestive system, a cellular storage system, a nervous system, and an immune system. A healthy group of bees will continually grow in proportion to the quality of food and resources it finds in the immediate area. As a whole, the colony survives on the basic food groups other animals need: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and minerals. Similarly, the body of Christ is a living creature made up of many individuals.
Since only a fraction of the bees collect food, the rest of the bees depend on what the other members bring in. At any given time, only 10-30 percent of the members of a hive are out foraging. The rest of the workers take care of the queen, feed the babies, or manage the storage facilities. The church should function much like a hive.
Those who are strong and gifted in certain areas should use their skills to benefit others who are not able to or cannot to do the same things. We will not all do the same job. Just because a bee is not foraging does not mean it is not a bee. Just because you are taking care of babies does not mean you are not a useful person in the body of believers. Just because your main focus is raising your children or ministering in a nursing home does not mean you are not important. Each of us has distinct roles which may change with seasons of life.
Bees produce ten times as much economic value by the vegetables and fruits they pollinate. Bees think their purpose is to make honey. They do not even know what a benefit and a necessity they are to our planet. You might think your ministry is one thing. It is not about your singing, preaching, or family discipleship. We must focus on these things that Christ has called us to, but they are not our only purpose. Most of the time, you do not even realize the difference you are making in someone’s life by the example you showed or some small thing you said. One day with Jesus, you will find out you did so much more good in other areas you never even realized.
2 Comments
Friend made a comment to me that I did not know how to respond.
The comment was, “There is more to life than the Bible”.
Your thoughts please,
Nanette
I would not want a life that was not based in the Bible.