Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part!Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” 1 Corinthians 12:14-21
In 1 Corinthians Chapter 12, Paul talks to us about spiritual gifts. In verses 12-13, Paul says that the church is one body – but with many parts. We are all different, but we are all part of the same Body of Christ. Christ is the foundation of our church and the reason for everything we do. This unites us, but as individual people we are all different. And this is one of the amazing miracles of God’s plan.
I don’t know how many times I’ve sat in church thinking “boy I wish I could pray as beautifully as that person….” or “I wish I was as good of a speaker as so-and-so.” I see people using the gifts God gave them, and I think “boy I’ll never be that good.” But that’s the wrong way of looking at things. We all have gifts, but they are all different. I would love to sing like an angel, but instead I croak like a frog. That’s not the gift God gave to me. But I know God has gifted me in other ways. And I also know that because of my gifts, people may have occasionally seen me using my gifts and wished that they could do what I do. It’s human nature.
The truth is, God gave us all gifts, and He wants us to use them within His body. Jesus was able to do everything, but one person can’t do it all. We all need to contribute our gifts to help Jesus’ church be the best that it can be. If we don’t use our gifts, something is missing. So never hesitate to use your gifts – they are valued and they are good. After all, God gave them to you. He wants to see you use them!