"To be the hands and feet of Jesus."

It's a phrase commonly spoken in the church community.  It's a desire to carry out the work of Christ.  In mission.  In service.  In love.

Too often I hear questions from within that community as to why some may be doing more than others.

It's important to know that as the Church, we are the Body of Christ.  Within that body, there are many, many functions, just as in the human body.  Take a look at 1 Corinthians 12:12-26. The question one must truly ask themselves is, "Am I serving as I was designed to serve?  Am I utilizing the gifts God has given me?"

I note the importance of our limbs.  They are important, but they are not vital.  We can live without them.  It was Christ in his Sermon on the Mount who said, if your eyes and your hands offend you... get rid of them.  In His words, pluck it out and cut if off!

These are parts of the body of which we have a level of control.  When we look at something, we can choose to look away.  When the urge to touch that which is prohibited arises, sometimes our overwhelming desires get the best of us, and we budge.  Only by our choice.  It was a figurative charge by Jesus, but one that would require serious measures to see real change in life!

Vital organs, on the other hand, function on automatic.  No only do they do what they were designed to do, they are something we cannot live without.  The heart, kidneys, lungs, or liver.  Remove these and that's it!  They are essential for life.

So what part of the body is more important?  The answer is none.  We cannot place one part of the body above the other.  What good are hands and feet without a beating heart?  Together, these separate physical functions form one physical body.

Just the same, we the Church are joined in unity to create the Body of Christ.  Our understanding of what we are called to do within that body help make it function with great effectiveness.  When we attempt to function as something we're not, we hinder what others are meant to do.  Not only do we get in the way, but we might even make a mess of things!

So don't fret if the big toe is walking, while you're doing all the talking.  That toe just might get stubbed.

Ouch... Bet you'll know how important they are then!