Lately we have been studying the church with the Youth Group on Wednesday nights.  Most recently we began a deeper look into the metaphors of the church in the New Testament.  Our first stop on this journey was the Body of Christ.  While this is probably not a new idea for any of you, it might be beneficial to rest in the idea and let the power of the metaphor do its work.

Imagine for a moment that you are in church, with everyone you might normally be there with.  Now think that each person is a different body part.  Choose one for yourself, aside from the head.  Fixate on that body part.  Imagine you have no other capabilities or functions apart from whatever comes natural to that physical part—that is your job, your function, your world.  Now picture all of the other ‘body parts’—the people—as being members of one larger body.  One is a kidney, another a vein, still another the lungs.  Keeping this in mind, focus on your own body; listen to your heartbeat, imagine the amazing sync and rhythm with which all of your body parts function.  Can you begin to see the connection?  Can you feel the metaphor?  Can you see the beauty? 

Now to balance out the other side, with your body in mind, imagine ripping out something—a vital organ, maybe even some skin, or just a few toenails.  What is happening to your image?  Pain, suffering, death?

In the Body of Christ, you are a member.  Maybe you are the intestine, a bone, or teeth.  Whatever you are, it is important.  Imagine living without even something small inside your body—it was created to function as a unit, not a conglomeration of many units. 

What does this mean?  If you are holding back your spiritual gifts from others in the body, you are denying yourself and the rest of the body your precious function, whatever it is.  Maybe you don’t feel important, or even a part of the body.  But know this, it is not a body put together by human beings, but by the Lord Jesus himself.  If he calls you into his body, bet your bottom dollar you are important and other people need you and your function!  Join the rhythm!