Important Parts of the Body of Christ

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees;" for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.- 1 Samuel 16:7

The above scripture comes from the story in the Bible where Samuel was choosing the next King of Israel from among Jesse's sons. Jesse had sons that were warriors, and by all outward appearances, would have made a better king than David. David was a shepherd.

Sometimes people make this same mistake. They look at people's status or their jobs, and think that is so great, and they make the perfect servants for the Kingdom. But with God, this is not so.

In the Gospels, Jesus chose people who looked like unlikely candidates. He chose fishermen and tax collectors to be his servants. He didn't pick them because of their status in life. The Bible doesn't really say why He chose them in particular, but if we go by the above scripture in Samuel, it was because He saw something you and I cannot see.

In the book of Acts, there is a story about a disciple named Ananias. You can find it in Acts 9. In that story, Jesus calls to him in a vision and tells him to go and find a man named Saul and restore his sight. The account doesn't give us any information, no titles, no big labels, just he was a "disciple." Ananias, a "disciple" hears specific instructions from the Lord, and obeys Him. The result is Saul of Tarsus, later to be known Paul, writes 2/3 of the New Testament that we have today.

In 1 Corinthians 12, we find information about the Body of Christ. Verses 23-25 read

And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.

There are no accolades in the Body of Christ, just parts.

So, that mechanic who works down the street, and leads 10 people a month to the Lord, he is important. That retail worker who prays for people to receive healing, she is important. Not everything that is big and bright and sparkles is best. What counts is: are we doing what God has for us to do? Can we hear from Him? Are we listening to Him?

He has something for every believer to do.