Mar 18 - "One Body"

1 Corinthians 12:12-26
"Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot would say, 'Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,' that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear would say, 'Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,' that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you,' nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.'”
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Do you believe you have value in the world? Are you important in the grand scheme of things?

I was always the last guy to get picked for the kickball teams at school recess. The girl I asked to the prom had a better offer. There have been lots of times in my life where I felt like it did not really matter if I was around or not. Just so we're clear, because of the abounding love I received from my family, I've never gone to the depth of a George Baily, It's A Wonderful Life, moment. But, just like you, every once in awhile I have had times when I felt pushed aside, discounted. When I think about how I felt in those moments, it is not a fun place. When made to feel less than we are, less than our potential, we shrink and often compound the insult by criticizing ourselves.

But, turn the table. When have you pushed someone aside, discounted the value of another?

As I sit here and write this, I feel like a hypocrite. I am about to pontificate on how we should all recognize the value of those around us, yet I can think of at least a few times each week...maybe even daily...when I discount some person's role or impact in my life and the world. I have instances where I avoid contact because a person annoys me; I say critical things about people to others; I literally shut a person down when they are trying to make a point, a request or give input, just because I think it will have no value.

Where does this cynicism come from? At what point do we as individuals decide that we are judges, making decisions on who has value and who does not? How do we get that way? When you see toddlers playing in a sandbox together, even if complete strangers, they don't judge. Sure, they may throw things at each other every once in awhile, but they do not assess and criticize; they just play and get along because innately they know it it more fun playing with someone than sitting by themselves.

The question: what do we do? How do each of us resolve this conflict of knowing what we should do and doing what we should do? It is tough to change overnight, to make an immediate U-turn on our approach, but it can be done over time. Maybe we just need to go ultra-simple and start with the recognition that each one of us plays a vital role in creation. I know it may sound strange to think that the homeless guy begging for change on the street corner plays a role, but he does. How about the guy who cut you off in traffic yesterday? Or the person who shoved their way ahead of you in line? The bank robber? The sycophant? The person who is always complaining? The liar? The cheat? Oddly enough, each of these people play a role in creation. Each of them is loved by God and has been given the same redemption through Christ which you have received. No more, no less.

Christ talked about the importance of going after the one lamb who was lost. He tells the story of how shepherd's care for the flock, but if one of the sheep go astray, he leaves the others to go bring back the one. Every single one of them has value. No one is expendable.

Can I turn around today and change, repent, renew my outlook on those around me? I can. I know I will fall short at times, many times. But I will move forward in the faith that God smiles upon those who try and fail, but try again. His steady hand guides those, who with sincere hearts, work toward peace and harmony, showing love, recognizing the gifts that each person brings.

So, brothers and sisters, do you have value in the world? You absolutely do. Does the person sitting next to you, in front of you, walking beside or behind you have value in the world? They absolutely do. Look for that value; don't discount; don't judge. For when we find the shining gem of value in another, we are also, in a way, found.