Are you Significant?
Wildfire Network would like to thank Michael Jones* for writing this edition of Fuel.
“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.” -1 Corinthians 12:12 (NIV)
Are You Significant?
One of the things I love about being part of the Wildfire network is the wide variety of Missional Leaders and ministries. From creatives and doctors to homeless ministers and missionaries, pastors, caretakers for addicts, and the elderly—there's a rich tapestry of the Body of Christ represented within our organization. It makes me think about our physical bodies like the Apostle Paul did when he was writing what we know today as 1 Corinthians. In chapter 12 verses 14-26 he tells them (paraphrasing) that the human body consists of many limbs and organs. What if the foot was upset that it was not a hand? What if the ear was upset that it was not an eye? What if the whole body were an eye, where would hearing be? What if the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?
In verse 22 Paul says that the parts of the body that “seem” to be weaker are absolutely necessary. Paul was making it very clear that our physical bodies cannot function the way He created them to function unless every part is doing what He created it to do. Just as the foot cannot function as the hand, and the ear as the eye, every part is indispensable.
Before and after the above-mentioned verses in 1 Corinthians 12 Paul talks about spiritual gifts. Additionally, Paul mentions spiritual gifts in Romans 12:6-8 and Ephesians 4:11. In those three letters combined there are about 20 different spiritual gifts. In no particular order they are, prophets (or prophecy), ministry, teachers, exhortation, giver, leader, mercy, words of wisdom, words of knowledge, faith, healing, working of miracles, helps, discerning of spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues, apostles, administration, evangelists and pastors. Where do you see yourself in this list? Every one of the missional leaders with Wildfire has at least one if not multiple of these spiritual gifts.
So, what's the point? Paul emphasizes in 1 Corinthians 12:27, "Now you (collectively, plural) are the Body of Christ, and members individually." Just as every part of our physical body serves a purpose, so too does each Missional Leader within Wildfire contribute uniquely to the whole Body of Christ. I am writing this article to encourage you as Paul was encouraging the Corinthians: each of you have spiritual gifts, each of you are important parts of the Body of Christ, Christ has carefully chosen YOU. Even if you aren’t aware of your own significance - Jesus surely is.
Pick up a fork and try to eat without one of your fingers. Without your pinky toe you would be seriously challenged to be balanced. The same is true with you, your spiritual gifts and the ministry God called you to manage. You are accomplishing His purposes within the Body of Christ just as your pinky finger and toe are for your physical body. Just try to think about it - right now you are connected to Jesus, as part of His Body, so He is constantly aware of you and your needs and your gifts and your significance.
Therefore, keep pressing forward in the calling God has placed on your life. Avoid the trap of comparison, recognizing that you are as unique as your fingerprint. Keep running the race no matter how hard it may be. God is ordering your footsteps. He may reroute you, but He will be present with you to accomplish His purposes, as a head guides a body that it’s attached to.
Are you significant?
Absolutely! Remember, the same God who uniquely knit you together in your mother’s womb is carefully crafting the body of Christ. Are you really significant?
Ask Jesus…
His answer is YES!
*Michael Jones is the Mission leader for All For Jesus Ministries.