All parts are important

“The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 12:12 NLT

In an article title "The Big Role Your Big Toe Plays in Running" published by Runner’s World recently, Ashley Mateo wrote, “There’s a lot going on in runners’ feet. Each one is made up of 26 bones, 30 joints, and more than 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Of those, maybe you spend a lot of time stressing about your plantar fascia. Maybe tendonitis is your literal Achilles heel. Or maybe you spend too many runs worrying about what color your toenails will be at the end. But how much brain space do you dedicate to your big toe, specifically? We ask because it deserves your attention. A quick anatomy lesson: Your big toe, a.k.a. the hallux, consists of two joints—the interphalangeal joint (which is up by your nail), and the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, which connects the first long bone (metatarsal) in the forefoot to the first bone of the big toe (phalanx). The MTP joint is the important one for runners, because it needs to bend with every step you take—and if it isn’t doing that correctly, it could inhibit your performance.” In summary, she wrote, “the big toe’s role in running includes: pushing off in the drive phase of your gait, transferring weight forward, providing momentum to move in that direction and stabilizing the arch of the foot to help regulate pronation." Wow! That small body part is really needed isn’t it?

And you know, when it comes to body parts, the Bible is very clear that the church is like a human body in which there are various parts. Every part is really needed and all the parts exist to serve one another. Which means that while some parts might seem more honorable than others, every part is equally important. Think about it this way... while the pastor and the praise band might receive a lot of attention, they need the sound guy who rarely gets a second look or an accolade to make their voices heard. And let’s not forget the church secretary or the Sunday school teacher. One keeps the lights on while the other teaches about the Light. Do you get where I’m going with this? Each and every one of us has a part to play in making the church perform and function at its best—something that’s done when each believer uses their special gifts and talents to serve, knowing that their service is important. 

So no matter what “part” you might play in the body of Christ today, remember that it’s important my friend. And whether or not you’re ever acknowledged or thanked, remember this... God sees your actions and that’s what’s truly important. May our works and deeds be done to please only an audience of One.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us how important each body part is by the analogy of the big toe. This small digit sure seems small, insignificant and even ugly at times but it’s sorely needed for us to run with endurance and to reach the finish line. Cause us to understand what our gift is within the church and to serve to the best of our ability giving all glory, praise and honor to you. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!