1 Corinthians 12:12-13 – The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body — whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free — and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. (NIV)

When one joins the armed forces here in the United States, one must go through boot camp. I went through the navy's boot camp to prepare for my service. Upon our arrival, we had our heads shaved, and we all received uniforms. One reason for this is so that, as a troop, we find unity first in our appearances. Then we learned to march together and to live together. We became a team by the end of our time in boot camp.

When one goes aboard a ship, that team-work mentality is very important, for there are many duties which must be performed as a team. One may be a technician by trade, but will also have to help on deck to handle mooring lines. Everyone will have to help load supplies on the ship. One may have to serve on a fire team on the ship, and all will surely find themselves cleaning on a ship. The thing is that unless every member of the crew pulls together as a team, the ship will not function correctly.

How important it is to remember that as Christians we too are team members. We are all members of the body of Christ. Though we may have different gifts, we still have the same God. We are members of the same body. The body needs all its parts working together to function correctly. As a part of the body we have life only when we are in the body. A part of the body cannot function outside of the body. We must be team players in Christ to do the will of God.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we pray that we may function as a part of the body of Christ — that we may submit totally to you, doing your will and your will alone. May we be team players in Christ, and not a barrier to your work. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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