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…and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:12—13 (ESV)

My toe! I broke my toe! My fifth, or pinky, toe didn’t seem to have that significant a role until I stubbed it recently on a weight on the floor. I discovered the pinky toe is needed for stability, balance, and weight distribution across the foot.

It’s surprising how such a small part of my body can matter so much. It’s injury determines my pain level and what I can now do as part of daily life. Instead of freely walking or standing on my toes to reach something, I must be careful to use my knee scooter. Extra time is required to elevate and ice my foot, giving it the care it needs to recover.

Like my toe is part of the rest of my body; Christians are all members of one body in Christ. We need each other.

One Body. Many Parts.

We have distinct roles and gifts. God gave them to us for the benefit of the body.

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. Romans 12:6a (NIV)

Some of the gifts listed in Scripture include prophesy, preaching, teaching, giving generously, serving, encouraging others, showing mercy, healing, and giving guidance (1 Corinthians 12:28; Romans 12:3—8). Some people have the gift to be in administration or accounting, which are certainly needed for running a church, school, or business. That’s not my gifting, I’m far more comfortable singing, teaching, or serving others in some capacity.

What role has God given to you? What is your gift?

One part of the body is not better or more important than another. One may be more obvious than another, but each has been chosen by God. It is not a coincidence that after the Apostle Paul wrote of us being parts of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12) that he then wrote of the biblical definition of love (1 Corinthians 13). We need each other! Love is the way we will get along.

We are to care for one another. My toe stays buddy-bandaged to the next toe for support while it heals. We are called to come alongside those who hurt and rejoice with those who rejoice, as is written in 1 Corinthians 12.

If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 1 Corinthians 12:26—27 (ESV)

We are one body in Jesus. Let’s be united in supporting each other and showing genuine love for each other.

How can you support others in good times and in difficulty?

Let’s pray for eyes to see the needs of others.

Lord, thank you for making us part of Your body. Help us to see where you need us to rejoice or suffer alongside another person. Help us be unified in You. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Thank you for reading my devotionals. You can go back to past devotionals if you missed any of the 2025 Clay in the Potter’s Hands series, Attributes of God: A to Z series in 2024, or others dating back to August 2020. Click on the date under the title to expand the text.

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