"Arms and Legs" by Quasimondo via Flickr on a Creative Commons License
Paul says the church is like a body. Only in this body has a crazy disease. The foot says to the hand, “I’m not nearly as cool as you. I wish I could pick things up.” And it just walks away. So then the eye says to the hand, “Look at you, you can’t even see anything. Get lost.” So your hand falls off. And that’s how it goes, all your body parts get lopped off one after another until all your left with is one giant eyeball, rolling around the church. That’s not a congregation, it’s a monster movie.
It looks like we have two problems: arrogance, and self-hatred. But really it’s only one, we misunderstand our own value. And the root of the problem is comparing ourselves to others. ”I wish I wasn’t so…” “Why can’t my life be like…” Or ”Thank God I’m not that guy. Sure I have issues, but at least I don’t…”
It’s like we’re standing too close to the stained glass window and we can only see two shards of glass, so we naturally start comparing them. We think, “Wow that red is pretty.” “Yick, I don’t like that green.” And the whole time, we’re missing the big picture.
Same with the body. For the longest time, we had no clue what an appendix did, except get inflamed and try to kill you sometimes. Seemed like a completely pointless organ. Recently, scientists discovered that it protects helpful bacteria. When your colon gets wiped clean, and you lose all those little bugs that help you digest food, the appendix keeps some safe, so your body can rebuild.
The eye is an amazing organ, but without the body it’s just a squishy marble. You may have muscles like Mark McGwire, but without bones you’re just a big pile of jello. Each part has purpose specifically because of, and only in relation to, the body.
Paul argues that God has intentionally ordered the body so that the different parts all hold together. We might assume that the parts that are hidden are less important, but which would you rather have, nice hair or good digestion? Some of you are thinking, “Either one would be nice.” Which would you rather have, a pretty face or a functioning brain? Some of you are thinking blonde jokes in your head right now, or making snide comments about Paris Hilton. Well, knock it off. Focus, people!
Paul says there are some parts of our body that our un-presentable, yet God clothes them in special dignity. If you’re not getting the reference, those are the parts generally covered by bathing suits. The world says that’s just our repressive, prudish, puritanical, religiosity talking. Go ahead call me a prude, but I like modesty. You need to leave something to the imagination. Plus, some parts just plain need protection. In case you haven’t noticed, it’s cold outside!
Paul says, “If one part suffers, all suffer. If one part rejoices, all rejoice.” Is that true of us? Are we so connected that we feel it when someone else hurts? Three tips. 1. Keep your eyes open for those moments that only come once: birthdays, breakups, weddings, funerals. In this congregation, no one laughs alone. No one cries alone. We are there for each other. 2. Keep in touch. This especially applies to our shut-ins, our snowbirds, and those serving in the military. 3. Unless you have a good reason for doing something by yourself… don’t! [Phone] “Hey, I’m gonna go get some groceries, you wanna come?” “I need to paint a room. You know anyone that could help?” Do whatever it is you do, just invite a friend. Do life together.
We are the body of Christ. Jesus has no hands on this earth but ours, no voice but ours. Be it hidden or visible, flashy or humble, be who you are, and extend that same courtesy to others. It is only in unity without uniformity that we find our identity.
