I ?ve always been intrigued by the mechanics of the human body. In fact, I was pre-med until the fifth grade. The most fascinating thing about the human body is how the many different parts and systems work together in a complex series of chemical, electrical, mechanical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual activities orchestrated to accomplish specific tasks. And if any of those systems or parts within those systems were to fail, down to the cellular and even molecular levels, then the task will not be accomplished, at least not effectively.
It ?s the same with the church. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 12:24, 25: “God has combined the members of the body ? so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.” We usually consider the earlier parts of this passage, trying to remember that all of the parts are important, and that ?s good. However, the point is really summed up in these verses. It is more important that the parts work together, undivided, with concern for each other.
With that understanding, then, nobody in the church should be able to say, “It ?s not my job.” And nobody should ask, “Why doesn ?t somebody do something about ” Because we are a body, there is a shared responsibility for everything we do. Granted, some parts are responsible for specific tasks, but none of us are working on our own, nor should we try, nor should we expect others to do so. In order for us to get the job done effectively, we must bridge the gap and share the responsibility of getting the work done. That means that we all need to pitch in to do the work when we can and also hold each other accountable, in love, for our individual responsibilities. While you ?re at it, watch for the people who are doing the “thankless” tasks and try to encourage them with a word of “thanks” ?or just take your coffee cup with you and turn the lights out if you ?re the last person in the room. Either way, we ?re in this together!