“He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” -Ephesians 4:16 (NLT)
You are a valuable asset—more precious than diamonds—cherished and honored in God’s sight. You are extremely significant and essential to the body of Christ. In fact, you are His channel of outpouring, creativity, and blessing to this world. You are irreplaceable. And when God created you, it wasn’t just “good;” He said it was “very good” (Genesis 1:31). Nothing has ever existed like you in all the world. You are His choice and your life matters.
Of course, years ago, I didn’t know that about myself. As a young adult attending a new church, the feeling of worthlessness consumed me as I sat and compared myself to many gifted people. When I took inventory, I said, “I don’t have anything to offer.” I felt useless. However, my heart was desperate to serve the Lord in some capacity, so I asked about cleaning the church. Although the church was enormous, it was a pleasure and honor to get to clean it. I would imagine Jesus right there with me as I said, “It’s all for you, Jesus” (Colossians 3:23). You see, I wanted those bathrooms to be the cleanest just for Him. That was my joy and my worship! Although it was behind the scenes and much hard work, it was essential and significant. So whether you are cleaning, teaching, cooking, or encouraging others, it matters. God is the One who put a high value on us that nobody can take away or replace. God alone determines our value, and because He values us, we freely give to others.
Think about the people who have impacted your life, whether a teacher, a grandparent, or a co-worker. Maybe something they said or did was instrumental in adding value to your life. Similarly, the smile you give, the door you open, or the card you send to someone are significant as they fuel the kingdom of God and its purposes. Consider the life of Epaphroditus. Although his name is barely mentioned in the Bible, he was a vital asset in advancing the kingdom of God. He wasn’t upfront preaching the gospel; he was behind the scenes risking his life and almost died while caring for Paul’s needs in prison (Philippians 2). He was a faithful man without recognition or a fancy title. However, his contributions were honorable and helped change history.
The body of Christ is also incomplete without you. God has carefully designed each member and placed it within the body to function as He desires. Diversity is required (1 Corinthians 12:17-19). You are needed, and what you have is crucial. It’s time for God’s original intention to become our reality. The entire body of Christ needs to fit together so that each part can help the others grow and flourish (Ephesians 4:16). We all have specific tasks, and if we each do our part, we will function appropriately, become equipped, and accelerate in love. Ultimately, all of our contributions can improve the health and maturity of the saints.
Stephanie Jones