Everyone Is Needed

Right now the NFL is working to put together their teams for the 2013/14 season. Although talented and performance driven several players will be cut.  Why? Teams can have only so many on their roster. Selections are made based upon who owners, managers, and coaches feel will give them the best chance at winning. While this is how the sports world handles giftedness, the same is not true of the church. Paul emphasized this in 1 Corinthians 12:14-16. “Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.” All are a part and all are equally and vitally needed. Dr. Gary Smalley in his book “The DNA of Relationships” remarks “Suppose your heart and your kidneys got into a heated debate about which one most needed a steady blood supply, winner take all. “Hey, I pump blood through the whole body,” declares the heart.  “Without me, every organ dies-including you!” “That may be,” retorts the kidneys, “but if the blood doesn’t go through me, all you accomplish with your incessant pumping is to poison the entire system.  And then guess who dies?” The truth of the matter is, the heart cannot “win” at the expense of the kidneys any more than the kidneys can “win” at the expense of the heart. When we look at this in relation to the kingdom the game is not won with twenty-two carefully selected players while grandstands filled with thousands look on. No, everyone is a player because there’s no one we can do without. Selections are not made during a yearly draft nor games played by a seasonal schedule.  There are no “most valuable player” awards granted because all are gifted and empowered to do their best. So, put on your gear, get off the bench and get onto the field. The Coach of the ages has just called a play and says “for this one everyone is needed.”