It is important for us to not only explore who we are and why we matter, but to explore it in the context of community. That is our team. We live in a world where every appendage often tries to be the entire body. Or everyone wants to be an eye, and no one is willing to be a colon.
We all tend to make fun of colon activities. The noises, the smells. We think of the colon as “less honorable” than, say, our smile. But when we have colon problems, life comes to a halt until its function is restored to proper working order. Without the unseen but vital parts of the body doing their job, the body simply shuts down.
That is why the Bible tells us to seek out and recognize the unseen parts of the body, the ones who do the behind the scenes work. The colons.
All the body parts are needed. Every single one. So let’s do what we do best, and lean into it for the benefit of the whole. Whatever we admire in others because “that’s so hard” is probably not our gift. Whatever we find easy (so tend to undervalue), is probably our gift. Life is a team sport, and righteousness is a group activity. We live best when we exercise our gift in the context of community.
“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…. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.”
– 1 Corinthians 12:20-22,25