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You may feel like the pinky fingernail of the body of Christ, but when the ear itches, you are the perfect one to take care of the problem.
The communion trays need to get filled. The unleavened bread does not make itself.
The third graders need class teachers. The bathrooms need cleaning. The widow longs for a visitor. The new mom is pulling her hair out and needs a break. The teenager needs encouraging.
There is no small part in the body. Many of the behind-the-scenes tasks of the church are thankless jobs, but they are no less valuable.
A recent commercial for a job placement company highlights the fact that though you weren’t the person to walk on the moon, there were many others who contributed to that effort. In the commercial, the person sweeping the floor is honored as a part of the team. The movie Hidden Figures celebrates the African American women who did many of the math calculations to ensure that every detail of the rocket and trajectory were correct.
After the national championship, Heisman winner Joe Burrow thanked many of the people who never saw the field, “So many people put so much work into this—from athletic trainers, equipment staff, players, coaches, chefs, dining room assistants.”
Whether in work, in sports, in the church, or on a project, every single person is an important member of the team. The face of the team may hold up the prize or receive the acclaim, but it would’ve been impossible had it not been for the many small parts others played along the way.
In the body and in the church, there are no small parts. What small part can you play today? What is a thankless task that is part of the big picture that you can contribute to?
Matthew 19:13-15
Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” And he laid his hands on them and went away.
See also 1 Corinthians 12:12-27.
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I wish I could be there for you Friday, but I have to work.
I wish I could give more money in support, but I just had to replace the tires on my car.
I wish I could visit the five other people in the hospital, but I only made it to visit one. Is that showing favoritism?
I wish I could make homemade cupcakes and healthy snacks for my kid’s class, but all I could do was pick up carrot sticks and a box of cookies.
Do you ever feel guilty for not doing enough? Do you ever feel judged by others for doing the wrong thing?
No one can do it all. We are not superwomen, nor are we expected to be.
And only God knows our heart and our motivations.
Check out the following story from Mark 14:3-9.
3 And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. 4 There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? 5 For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her. 6 But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. 9 And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”
In memory of this woman and in her honor, let’s celebrate those who “did what they could.” Jesus sees you. When you doubt yourself and when others seem to judge, remember this affirmation, “She did what she could.” Allow your best effort to be enough because God is the one who knows your heart and is the only one who is all-sufficient. He will make up the difference. God did what He could to make it possible for you to do what you can do—no less, no more.
Do not be discouraged if you feel that “all you can do” is your one small part. Every little bit makes a difference and together, through Christ, we can each do what we can.