Link
The first team I was proud to be a part of was my second grade soccer team. I liked my fellow teammates. It was fun playing the game with them. The coach was passionate about the sport, an excellent teacher, and he obviously cared about us. I had a clear role on the team as a goalie. It was truly fulfilling. We won the league championship and I got my first trophy. Our parents gleefully cheered for us as we received them. There is something wonderful about being a part of a special team.
There are common characteristics that special teams or great organizations possess. First, the mission of the group is clear, worthwhile, and benefits others. Second, good teams and organizations have tremendous leadership. The leaders are passionate about what they do, can teach/ communicate well, and care about each individual in the group. Third, the group is made-up of people with high integrity. They work hard, go the extra mile, communicate well, and care about each other. Lastly, there is a clear and defined role for each person so that they thrive.
Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. (1 Corinthians 12: 14-18 NIV)
The body metaphor was often used in antiquity to reinforce the notion of hierarchy within a community. Some still reference it the same way today. The head of the army is the person of most significance. The foot soldier has less importance and must follow orders. Of course everyone wants to be in charge. Everyone desires to be the tail that wags the dog. However, Saint Paul transformed the image from one of hierarchy to one of dependence and equality. He reminded the Corinthians that everybody matters. We are all important links in the body of Christ. Everyone has a special role and relies on everyone else in a community.
Anyone who has had surgery on a part of their body knows that Saint Paul was right. Every function of our body is vitally important. We tend to focus on the area of our body that is injured or hurting. Now, it is true that many people function quite well even though they have lost an important part or function of their body. Their strength and courage is inspiring. We perform best, however, when our whole body is intact and healthy. Similarly, Saint Paul rightly pointed out that every community will thrive best when members know their purpose, importance, and relationship to each other. These lessons are life-giving for our spiritual journey. Knowing our purpose and valuing relationships is key to everyone's well-being. Moreover, we claim our true value when we authentically recognize everyone’s importance.
The challenge is do we live as though this is true? Do we celebrate and encourage everyone to find their gifts? Can we develop our own sense of purpose and worth while supporting others? Will we let go of false hierarchies in society and invisible corporate ladders that lead nowhere? Do we value a child who wants to be a sanitation worker just as much as the college student who is double majoring in microbiology and engineering? Will we value the painter and dancer as much as the football and basketball star? Do we celebrate our own gifts and importance in the community, no matter what those gifts may be? Saint Paul wisely reminded us, “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” (1 Corinthians 12: 26 NIV) Community matters. Each person is vitally important in any group. We are all invited to be compassionate links in the body of Christ.
Today is God’s Present!
