(1
Corinthians 12:12) “Just as a body,
though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with
Christ.”
(1
Corinthians 12:27) “Now you are the
body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
When
we are born again, we are given a place in the body of Christ. A role to
fulfill. I was thinking about being in
the military – the Army specifically. Everyone wears the same uniform. There is a code of conduct – rules and
decorum that are to be followed by everyone.
But there are also military specialties – communications – aviation – infantry
– armor – artillery – supply – transportation – and specific roles and areas of
expertise in each of those.
As
Paul points out in 1 Corinthians – each Christian has a place or role as
well. The challenge is to understand it –
embrace it and fulfill it. Some Christians
never get past wearing the uniform – as if that is good enough. I am certain that you have seen people,
specifically men, wearing hats that indicate they are veterans having served in
one of the branches of the military. And, perhaps, even during a conflict. I have the hats, but don’t wear them. I am proud of my service – don’t get me
wrong. I served in Vietnam as a PFC radio
operator with the Advisors in the Mekong Delta. I served in Desert Storm in 3rd
Army Aviation Operations as a Major, flew 3 different helicopters (not in
Desert Storm), Hueys, Cobras, Chinooks. Was
a maintenance test pilot in Cobras.
Commanded twice. Received a
Masters of Military Science from the Command and General Staff College. Impressed yet? I cannot take credit for my
abilities – I know that they all are a gift from God. I may have honed my skills through diligence,
but God created me the way He did – purposed my life for His glory – not mine.
So
back to the guys wearing the hats – I talked with one guy once who wore a
Vietnam Vet hat. When I asked where he
served, he told me with some hesitation that he was on a ship off of the coast
of Vietnam, but never actually set foot on Vietnamese soil. I could see that although he wore the hat –
he was unsure about talking to and comparing himself to someone who had waded
through rice paddies. But, I did not judge him – he was willing to serve – where
he served was up to the Navy. There were
Navy River patrol boats stationed with us. It could have been his assignment. And listen – I am by no means disrespecting
men and women who served but not directly in harm’s way. I have the highest respect for them. In fact
when we (me and my family) were on active duty I said “Washington cuts the
orders but God makes the assignments”. (Proverbs 16:9)
The
bottom line – It does not matter if you are in a foxhole staring down the barrels
of the enemy’s guns or are on a ship floating in the ocean out of range from
any enemy attack – serve faithfully where God has put you. We are not all the same – by God’s design. But
– we are all part of the Body and serve the same Lord. If you are on that ship – you are right where
God wants you – so serve proudly and with every ounce of your ability. Live in the sweet spot that God has prepared
for you. To the glory of God. CHARLEY
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