The Journey

"He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love."

Ephesians 4:16

In Hawaii, we often see outrigger canoes racing to the finish line. The special thing about these races is the hard work, training, conditioning and discipline that goes into a team. The team truly has to work together. Each paddler has a special function and they all have to rely on one another. There is one that steers the canoe, another calls out the rhythm and each paddler needs to work in unison. Each paddler needs the other in order to make the canoe go smooth and quick. 

  As I reflected on this verse in Ephesians, I realize that the church body all fit together perfectly, just as the canoe paddlers. Each part help the other parts grow. There has been many times in ministry that I needed to ask others to assist in various tasks which required special gifts and talents. Just as in a human body, there are many parts and they all work together. I find that the same way in the body of Christ, we all have gifts and talents that the Lord has given us so we can us to glorify and expand His Kingdom. I honestly am so grateful that we are not all the same and that God has made us wonderfully unique and special according to His plans. We are never on a solo journey, but we are all on this "life journey" together, as one body. As I run across challenges in ministry work, I need to remember that God has created just the perfect person to assist me in each and every task, for what might not be my gifting in an area, it is another person's passion and gifting. I thank the Lord for the unique differences in the body of Christ.

  Can you think of another person today that has assisted you in a task, that had a special talent or gifting that you did not have? Thank the Lord for that person and their special gifts.