We are one

Last week we started talking about how heaven is not moved by our titles and job descriptions. This was discussed by Paul in his letter to Corinth. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 tells us how we are all in one Body in Christ but we form many parts. In verses 17-20 the Apostle Paul says, “Think of it this way. If the whole body were just an eyeball, how could it hear sounds? And if the whole body were just an ear, how could it smell different fragrances?  But God has carefully designed each member and placed it in the body to function as he desires.  A diversity is required, for if the body consisted of one single part, there wouldn’t be a body at all! So now we see that there are many differing parts and functions, but one body.”

We all need each other. I love how Paul goes on to note that it is actually the unseen organs that play the most important roles, like the little old lady from last week’s post. When God places us in a role we must trust Him with it and serve Him faithfully even if that role is to make time and pray for your pastor every day. Small as it may seem, it is a big job. And as unseen as you may be, you still play a vital role in the body of Christ.

So in saying this, we must get rid of selfish ambition. Ambition in itself is not a bad thing. However, there is a certain type of ambition that is driven by the flesh that seeks self-promotion and that is not godly. The Bible describes self-ambition as a work of the flesh, see Galatians 5:16-21.

As God’s children, we must wait for God to direct our steps and show us what our purpose is. We cannot let self- ambition or self- promotion get in the way as we force our way into where we think we need to be, even if there are people who think we should do it. We must be humble and allow God to show us where He needs us most so we can serve Him there. We must trust our pastors to help direct us into where God needs us and trust that they are hearing from heaven.

This has been true for my journey. As I honour my pastors and trust them in their leadership over my life, God has used them to move me around and find exactly where I fit in in our church. We must always be flexible and trust that God knows what He is doing in every season of our lives. And we must also trust the leadership that God puts over our lives.

We all have a job to do in God’s house and in the world but we are not all the same nor were we created to be the same. There is only one you. So, shine your light and be all God has called you to be wherever He places you in the body and wait on Him for promotion. If it never comes, do not despair, God rewards faithfulness. There is no “career trajectory” in the Kingdom of God. You don’t start with serving tea so you can work your way to the pulpit. You serve wherever God places you and if you do it faithfully and with your whole heart, your rewards are stored up in heaven for you.

Love and blessings,

Melissa Tsingano