YOU ARE IMPORTANT

Rom. 12:4, 5  Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body.  We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do.  And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.  NLT

       So many of us struggle with this truth.  We may find our niche in the Church, but then so often we fail to acknowledge or appreciate what others do.  We are prone to think of others or even ourselves as insignificant and not needed in the functioning of the church.  We may appreciate what others do, especially if they are leaders in the church, and take for granted the roles that everyone else plays. 

      Our text today reminds us that each of us plays a significant role in the body of the Church.  Everyone is equally important to the health of the Church.  We all do different things and if anyone doesn't do what they are given to do, the body suffers.  Ideally, we all serve in the area of our giftedness, but if we don't, what we do is still very important.  It takes the whole body functioning together to be a healthy church the Lord can use.

       We are a needy people.  As we strive to live out our faith in and outside of the Church, we need each other.  We need to know that we need each other.  We need to know that we are not alone.  We need the support, wisdom, encouragement, guidance and love of each other.  We need to draw from one another what we need in order to remain faithful to Christ in the world.  No one can be effective in faith by being a lone wolf.  It is as we serve and commune together that we are made strong and effective. 

       We are a community of believers, let us each do our part for each other that the Lord may by lifted up and honored amongst us.  Let us strive to always be aware of our need for each other.  Let us often give thanks to the Lord for each other.  Working together, let us always strive to lift up the name of Jesus in all we do.