Within the church, there are many different gifts and roles, but the respect and the focus tend to fall on the ones with the mic, on the stage or that display a level of authority. To an extent, it is natural – even so, we must understand that every aspect of the body of Christ is important and imperative for function. No matter how quiet or how simple your role may appear to in the body of Christ, you matter.
Have you ever stubbed your toe against a wall? Do you remember the surge of pain that shoots through your whole body and makes your eye tear up? You lose your balance as you embrace the impact of the accident. How did you feel? That’s how the body of Christ is affected when anything happens to a part of the body: no matter how small, it makes a difference. Another example is eyelashes: despite how small they may be, if you wear mascara or faux lashes it changes your face completely! If there is an infection on your lid you cannot see, despite your eyeballs being completely fine. That’s how important all roles, even the small ones, are in the body of Christ.
When there is a lack of understanding when it comes to the importance of every function of the body, many parts are left neglected and can even rot. How many people have silently dropped off from the church without a trace, believing that their absence has no impact? How many of us have sat in church and sat on our gifts, talents, and revelations because it doesn’t look like those on a pedestal or on a platform?
“For as in one body, we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”
– Romans 12:4-5
I believe that we dissociate from communities where we do not feel appreciated, seen, and responsible. This also applies to the church. When you are just a number and you do not contribute to the wider congregation, it’s easy to slip through the cracks and disassociate. As much as the church needs to work on uplifting and widening its lens when it comes to the diverse methods in which God uplifts and uses people, we as individuals must seek God’s face and ask for guidance on our purpose within our respective churches as well.
It has often come to my attention that people become so concerned with the opinions and validation of others that they miss out on what God has in store for them. If God was the only one who saw what we did for the rest of our lives would we be satisfied? That is why Paul urges us to think ‘For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.’ (Galatians 1:10).
There have been key moments where I’ve felt overworked and underappreciated within the church and yet people would not bat an eyelid at my struggles or pain. This isolation led me to moments where I felt dissuaded to show up at church. I realised that if I am rewarded by men, then I have received my full reward – what are accolades without real impact? How small is a mustard seed that germinates into a huge tree? Even the smallest contribution and acts of service transform the lives of others.
For those who are struggling or have left the church because they felt like they had no impact or recognition, I urge you to look at your experience through the lens of the spirit and not the flesh. What were you focused on, the validation of man or of God? Did you step forward with boldness? What was God trying to teach you within your church experience and how would you change things if you were to return to the church?
And to the church, for those who are leaders, teachers and those who can lead and shape the body of Christ: do not let titles and hierarchy affect the way you empower and interact with people. It’s important that we are our brother’s keeper. If you see someone slip away – do not accuse, instead, ask questions; remind them of their strengths and their importance in the body of Christ. We serve a Lord that would leave His 99 sheep to find one sheep.
Stay blessed.
Scripture Reading: Romans 12:4-5; Galatians 1:10
