Indeed,
the body does not consist of one member but of many.
I
Corinthians 12:14
I joke and say that I am amazed
I was ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament, because I cannot
carry a tune and often can’t remember names! But the truth
is, I sometimes feel inadequate. Some of us are given gifts
that serve best more publicly - with a loud voice, like bright bold
colors. Some of us are given gifts that serve best in the
background - with a quiet voice, like soft neutral colors. And
so I share this story, to remind myself and others, that the gifts
God gives us are uniquely important and valuable.
This Aesop’s fable is called “The Fable of the Belly.”
“One day it occurred to
members of the body that they were doing all the work while the belly
was having all the food. So they held a meeting (presumably
without inviting the belly) and after a long discussion decided to
strike work until the belly consented to take its proper share of the
work. So for a day or two the hands refused to take the food,
the mouth refused to receive it and the teeth had no work to do. But
after a day or two, the members began to find that they themselves
were not in very active condition. The hands could hardly move,
the mouth was all parched and dry, while the legs were unable to
support the rest of the body. Thus they found that even the
belly in its dull, quiet way was doing necessary work for the body
and that all must work together or the body will go to pieces.”
Giving God, As I seek to
celebrate and affirm the gifts of others, help me to remember that I
have gifts also. You equip and call each one of us to be a part
of the body of the Christ. Guide me to nurture and share those
gifts so that I might serve you better. Amen.
Joanne Blair
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