Daily Worship

Part of a Team

Albert Bogle July 16, 2016 0 0

1Corinthians 12 : 12-19

12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by[c] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

No one can ever claim to be totally self sufficient. We all need the help and support of others. No where is this better demonstrated than in the sporting world. Each winner or winning team always have to acknowledge the help and support of the back room coaching  team. Today our reading reminds us that we all have a part to play in the life and witness of the church. No one is less important or more significant than the other. Too often within our  Christian communities we overlook the kindness and generosity of people who tirelessly work in the background, Today let us celebrate  and learn from such people who give so much and never ask to be rewarded. Perhaps a moments refection on John Donne’s famous poem may help us put today into perspective as we read through the short reading from Corinthians.

No man is an island,
Entire of itself,
Every man is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thy friend's
Or of thine own were:
Any man's death diminishes me,
Because I am involved in mankind,
And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
It tolls for thee. 

.John Donne

 

 

Lord,

Help me to play my part in the team

To share my gifts and resources

To be always available when needed

And not count the cost

To be willing to hold back and let others shine

To believe winning may come through losing

To point to victory in the midst of defeat

Give me the endurance required to stay the course

And be part of the team that crosses the line