Today’s Scripture Passage:
Romans 12
Key Verse:
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. Romans 12:4-5 (NLT)
Baseball season has begun, and I’m a fan. More specifically, I’m a Washington Nationals Fan. I chose them as “My Team” back in early 2008 after we returned to Northern Virginia with plans to retire in the area. Our entire family are sports fans, but I’d never had my own team. I deliberately waited until we were settled in one place, but once chosen, I quickly began calling myself a Nats Fan.
Honestly, the Nats were hard put to win a game in those early years, but I didn’t care. We went to games or watched on the local station, MASN. I got to know the players and which positions they played. I cheered for them by name.
I knew how to cheer. I’d watched George and the children play enough softball and baseball games to know a lot of the proper terminology; pitcher, catcher, batter, baserunner, infield, outfield, umpire, bases, pitcher’s mound, batter’s box, dugout, etc.
What I didn’t realize was how much more there is to baseball than hit the ball and run the bases, or catch the ball and get the runner out. I didn’t grasp just how crucial it is for each player to do their part and only their part. I didn’t understand the importance of each position and the part each position played in the overall success of the team.
Yes, I knew playing well won games, but baseball requires all nine positions to play their part well. Starting pitchers can help you win, but they can’t win the game singlehandedly. They need teammates who are fielding hits and getting outs. They also need those same teammates to get on base and score runs. Clutch hitters need others to be on base in order for their hits to have maximum benefit. A grand slam only happens if the bases are already loaded when a homerun is hit.
All team members must learn and practice regularly the work of their position. The same is true of every Jesus-follower, and today’s Scripture addresses this type of teamwork in the church. Each part contributes to the success of the whole. No one position has more value because each position is needed. How do we know this? Holy Spirit wouldn’t give us our gifting for the body if the body didn’t need it.
The body is all Jesus-followers everywhere which includes the local church where we serve and worship. Reminder, the church is not the building; the church is the people.
Holy Spirit assigns us our position in the body. The position may change as the body changes but what is required of each position is to do our part. My part will support the other parts. If I try to do the part of another, I will neglect my part. Neglecting to do my part is disobeying the One who has given me my position in His body.
Digging Deeper:
1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Ephesians 5:20 & Colossians 1:18
Jesus Journaling:
1 Take time this week to read the Digging Deeper Scriptures.
2 Set aside some time to do a Spiritual Gifts Survey (if you haven’t already). If it’s been a while, you may want to take it again. Ask Jesus to help you learn and practice using your gifts and playing your position well.
3 Read Ephesians 6:18.
If you have not yet met Jesus, you can meet Him today. He created you. He loves you. He wants you to be a part of His family. I encourage you to step into the life He created you to live. You will still have the troubles of this world, but you will no longer be facing them alone. I’m praying for you! https://peacewithgod.net/mobile/?utm_source=Microsoft&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=HowToGoToHeaven&utm_campaign=USPWGMobileSearchMic
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.