Dear Faith Family,

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.  For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – Jews or Greeks, slaves or free – and all were made to drink of one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13)

One of these things is not like the others

One of these things just doesn’t belong

Can you tell which thing is not like the others

By the time I finish my song?

Did you guess which thing was not like the others?

Did you guess which thing just doesn’t belong?

If you guessed this one is not like the others

Then you are absolutely…right!

Do you remember those lyrics from Sesame Street?  Over the years I’ve enjoyed the picture puzzle games that provide the opportunity to find the differences.  But today, as I think about the words of the Sesame Street song, “One of These Things”, I’m troubled.  Do the lyrics of the song make different and not belong synonymous?

Ok, Ok.  So I’m reading too much into it?  Maybe.  But I see too many divides in our world today.  Is there not a tendency to distance ourselves from that which is different?  You know, if people think differently, enjoy different stuff, even share different opinions?  Do we tend to distance as if they don’t belong?  And, isn’t there a natural tendency to gravitate toward those who are not different, same? 

Here’s the truth.  The Church, the body of Christ, is different:  different gifts, different nationalities, different ages, even different likes and dislikes.  Yikes!  But don’t stop there.  The Church, the body of Christ is same:  one body, one Savior, and one Head, Jesus.

So, what should we do with that?  Well, nobody can say, “I’m not needed.”  Why not?  Because God intentionally calls, gifts, and places people (insert you here) into His body as He sees fit.  He doesn’t call, gift, and place bench warmers!

And, nobody can say, “you’re not needed.”  Every member of the body is indispensable!  If the whole body were an eye, then we wouldn’t be able to hear!  If the whole body were an ear, then we wouldn’t be able to smell!  And, if the whole body were a nose, well then we would just look funny!  Don’t take my word for it.  Read 1 Corinthians 12.

You are indispensable!  Let that sink in.  If you dismiss yourself with an “I’m not needed”, then we all miss out on God’s purpose through you.  The Church suffers.  And, the people around you are indispensable!  If you dismiss them with a “you’re not needed”, then you miss out on God’s purpose through them.

All of these people are not like the others. 
All of these people to one body belong. 
Can you tell discover the differences
And celebrate in song?

As it is, there are many parts, yet one body (1 Corinthians 12:20).

Thanking God for all the “parts”,
Pastor Karl