1 Corinthians 12:18-20 – But in fact God has arranged 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. (NIV)

The entrance to our friend's large farming property was imposing, with its signboards pointing to the various farming activities: "Sheep", "Cattle", "Wheat", "Citrus", "Cotton", "Homestead". We were warmly welcomed, and, after settling in, were taken on a tour of inspection of the large property, alighting from the car at various places, as our host educated us about the wide variety of agricultural activities. One stop brought us to a cotton harvester worth tens of thousands of dollars. As our host explained its great usefulness in harvesting the cotton crop, he also lamented that it was inactive at that time because of a small bolt, which had snapped. That bolt was worth only a dollar or two, but, because this small part was missing, the valuable machine was unable to fulfill its task.

Paul reminds us that God has arranged His body on earth like that machine. Every part, small or large, is important for His body to function as He planned. Are we aware of the significance of our role in that body, even though it seems small, or even insignificant? The health of Christ's body on earth, the church, is dependent on each of us fulfilling our role.

Prayer: – Lord God, help us to realize that You have allocated a role for each of us in the life of Your body on earth. Strengthen us to fulfill that role faithfully, that Your body may continue to fulfill the great commission. Amen.

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