“But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body” (1 Corinthians 12:18-20).
t doesn’t take much observation to notice that there are many different personalities in the Church. A human tendency is for us to compare ourselves with others and notice their strengths against our weaknesses. That is not helpful.
This Scripture begins with a comforting truth—“every one of them, just as He wanted them to be.” God knows how to match personalities and functions so that we each are placed in the proper position to function. To those He adds the spiritual gifts we need to make us successful. That is how our physical body functions and that is how the Church functions. Diversity is a necessary part of each.
Consider a Sunday when someone is working in the parking lot of a local church. He or she meets everyone with a smile. Then someone at the door makes a visitor feel welcome. Musicians play their instruments and singers lead the congregation in worship. A speaker brings a message and during that service someone opens his or her heart to Jesus. Who gets the credit? We all do because we are functioning as a healthy body. As I learned early in my pastoral ministry, the invitation began in the parking lot.
