The Most Important Part
Several years ago I heard Lonnie Jones ask a question that has a tendency to elicit several different responses: “What is the most important part of a car?” The answers, as you might imagine, range from the key to the engine to the driver to the headlights. All of those parts are significant. But the answer he usually gave was: “The part that you need to be working when it is not.”
The engine is important but if you are attempting to drive at night on a dark country road and you have no headlights the engine is not helping you very much. The ignition certainly helps to crank the car but if there is a monsoon rainfall and the cheap strip of rubber that clears your windshield isn’t working properly then the car will likely be sitting there useless whether cranked or not. Every part on the car serves a particular purpose and is needed. Many parts are hidden and many parts are never really thought about, but without them the car would not function as well or even not function at all.
And that is how it is with the church. Every person is important. You may have moments where you think you aren’t. Maybe you have a role that is less noticeable. Sometimes that can be difficult and sometimes that is a blessing. Everyone notices when I don’t come to church. In fact, some may keep a pretty good record of the times I’m not there. My role in the church requires people to see and hear me. Not everyone’s role requires that but everyone’s role is just as important as mine...and actually more.
When Paul is attempting to help the Corinthians deal with their disputes and arguments he refers to the church as a body (1 Corinthians 12:12). He encourages them to recognize that every part of the body is important (12:13-14) and that we can’t downplay our role (12:14-18) and we should never downplay the role of others (12:19-21). He even mentions that it is the members of the body (the church and our physical bodies) that seem to be “weaker” that are more necessary and those that seem “less presentable” are bestowed with more honor. What is the reason for that? So there is no division and there is care given to each part.
Feet and toes are not generally the most presentable parts of the body. We often cover them up with shoes and socks. Yet, all of us would agree that they are extremely important and hopefully we take care of them so that they will be working properly for years to come. Our congregation is composed of hundreds of people. Only a handful get up and teach or preach. But all of you serve roles that are important to the health and growth of this congregation.
From now until we are all called home to be with the Lord, there will be “pressing needs” that arise around us. Will we be watching and will we be ready to fulfill those needs so that we are fruitfully accomplishing the work of the kingdom (Titus 3:14)? We could point to so many Biblical heroes who were just ordinary people who are remembered for being the part of the body of believers who simply did their part when duty called. Moses at the burning bush. David among the ranks as Goliath defied Israel and their God. Esther in the palace. Daniel and his friends in servant roles hundreds of miles from home. In those moments they were the most important part. Will you be like them? Will you be ready when it is your time to “fulfill your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:5)?
Ben