In 1 Corinthians 12 we read this wonderful word picture of the body of believers—the Body of Christ: “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27 NIV).
Each part is unique—unlike the others—and each one has a particular role and function within the Body. None can compare themselves to another and say, Because I am not them, I am not a part of the Body. Nor can one say to another, I have no need of you. Verse 18 says that, “God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be” (NIV).
Verse 22 is often overlooked. It is what I believe to be the core of the lesson God gives us with this word picture. It says, “On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable …” (NIV).
Notice it says seem to be weaker; it doesn’t say those who ARE weaker. How often do we discount or ignore or dismiss someone based on our perception of them? They don’t look like us, talk like us, or move the way we do. We pay more attention to differences and assign them negative values rather than finding a common ground and embracing the differences as a God-designed opportunity.
God says those who seem weaker are indispensable! Vital. Crucial. The Body is incomplete without them. God says you are vital. You are crucial. His Body is incomplete without you. He says that to each of us, and I believe God wants us to see and say that about each other—despite our perceptions of one another.
Today I challenge you to move beyond your perceptions of others and view each member of the Body of Christ as indispensable.