"so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." 1 Corinthians 12:25-27
If you have been running for any length of time, you probably have experienced, or are experiencing, an injury of some sort. Funny thing is, the injured area is usually caused by a weakness in a connecting part of the body. For instance, runners knee is most often caused by weak thigh muscles and plantar fasciitis can be caused by a tight achilles tendon. Achilles tendinitis is most often caused by tight or fatigued calf muscles and IT Band Syndrome is most often caused by tight muscles in the legs or hips or by weak hip muscles. God designed our bodies and its many parts to function as a whole, a healthy whole, with each part doing its job. When one part is weakened, fatigued or overworked, it can't do its part and the whole body suffers.
The same can be said about God's body of believers. Romans 12:4-8 tells us, " For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us." We all have different roles in the church and in the ministry. But the body is only as healthy and productive as it's individual parts. When one part is weak, we are all weak.
And regardless of how you feel or think about your role, all parts are necessary and important regardless of their size and function. A hand can't do much without the fingers and it is useless unless attached to an arm. A big toe isn't very pretty but try walking without it. Get the picture? We need one another, "He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love." Ephesians 4:16. Healthy, growing and full of love.... together we can be that body. Together we can make a difference when we remember that together we are the body of Christ.
Heavenly Father, thank You for making us stronger as a whole. I pray that we would daily encourage and build each other up. May we all grow stronger as individual parts to strengthen the body as a whole. What a blessing to be included in the body of believers and to serve you in any way. May we daily work together to do your will and to be an example to others. In your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
If we are the body - Casting Crowns
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