Feeling Insignificant?

In several passages in the Bible, the apostle Paul draws an analogy between to the body of Christ and the human body. He states in Romans 12 that just as the physical body has many parts, so also the body of Christ has many members.   And each has been given gifts. All body parts are not the same and do not perform the same function.  Neither, are all followers of Christ created alike or have the same gifts. Just as each body part has an individual purpose, so each believer has specific gifts. These gifts have vital and unique purpose to the operation of Christ’s body. (verses 4 & 5)  Paul then tells us to use them by the grace God has given us. (verses 6 – 8)

The body analogy is expanded in 1 Corinthians 12. Here, hands and feet are used to describe how each believer has his or her own place. The apostle Paul warned Christians about being jealous of the roles that others play in the body of Christ. He also warned against competition and the need to elevate our own role. He refers to the ear, the eye and the nose to show how interdependent we all are. Paul states “but as it is, God has placed and arranged the limbs and organs in the body, each (particular one) of them, just as he wished and saw fit and with it best adaptation.” (verse 18) Likewise, each one of us is perfectly placed and arranged just where God wishes us to be.  He saw fit to put us here and perfectly adapted us for His purpose. No one is any more or less significant.

When I first read these Scriptures, I did not feel that I was a hand, a foot, an eye, an ear or even a nose. All of those seemed much bigger than the role I thought I could play in the body of Christ. Then I began to contemplate diabetes. I’ve personally had this Type 1 diabetes for over 35 years. What I learned about this disease has, in turn, taught me much about each person’s importance in the body of Christ.

Diabetes is frequently in the news because it is a major contributor to heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, neurological pain in the extremities and other serious maladies. Whenever any of these diseases are discussed, diabetes is considered as a major risk factor. Doctors will inquire of any family history and test for any signs of the disease.  There is great concern and care given to the treatment of diabetes. Treatment is both for the disease itself and for the prevention of the long-term complications.  These complications include the onset of so many other diseases.

In the body of someone with type 1 diabetes there is one problem. A small, not so impressive organ called the pancreas has tiny, microscopic beta cells that do not work.  No one sees the pancreas. No one goes around saying, “Look how great my pancreas is!” It’s a part of the body that is seldom discussed outside of an anatomy class or a doctor’s office. It’s just not glamorous or impressive. But it’s not even the whole pancreas that stops working when diabetes is present. It’s microscopic (unable to see without a microscope) cells that have been attacked and stopped working.

Do you ever feel unseen?  Do you wonder if you have any gifts and talents to offer?

The Bible has several accounts of what I personally term “beta cell” prophets.  Men who asked, “Are you sure you have the right man for the job?” Does “I’m the least of my clan and my clan is the smallest in our tribe,” sound familiar.  (Gideon - Judges 6:15)  “Send my brother, Aaron. He speaks better than me.” (Moses – Exodus 3 & 4) Who am I, Lord?” (David - Psalm 8)  Throughout the word of God, great men have suffered from feeling insignificant. They thought they were too small. But Gideon routed the enemy with only 300 men. Moses led the people out of Egypt and through the wilderness and ruled over them for 40 years. David was king of Israel and wrote some of the most heartfelt portions of scripture. These men and several more suffered from “beta cell, self image” syndrome. They saw themselves as insignificant until they saw themselves as God saw them.

Are you suffering from “beta cell, self image” syndrome? You may feel that you are “just a mom” “just a dad,” “just a teen” or “just a (fill in your blank).”   You may feel that all you do is “pray for” or “give support to” the ministries others are called to do. You may clean the church, greet at the door or hand out water, but never preach, teach or lead a group.  Remember, those microscopic cells on that little heard of pancreas?  They have the power to destroy the heart, brain, eyes, feet and even bring death, simply by not working.  Major works of God are likewise hindered and even die off, without the prayers and support of many silent partners.  Yet for every heart that is softened, every life that is touched, this behind the scenes work is critical to prepare people to receive what God has for them.  You share in the labor, and you will share in the reward.

If you have a healthy pancreas, rejoice that your beta cells are working properly. Your heart, brain, eyes, feet and the rest of your body can do their jobs unhindered. If you are a beta cell do your job well. No matter how small, the task it can be vital to the great work that a congregation, ministry or any group is called to do.  Encouragement is a very important, but little practiced gift these days.  Barnabas, known as the son of encouragement, defended Paul before a fearful body of believers and later travelled with him on many of his trips. They were the encourager and the preacher. (Acts 9:27 11:30)  Add encouragement to your current gifting.  Pray and encourage! Give and encourage! Parent and encourage!  Live and encourage!  This may be the greatest gift of all.

Most importantly, see yourself as God sees you.  He may have some greater work in your future that you cannot even imagine yet.  Yet, even  if your entire life remains obscure and microscopic, continue to see yourself as God sees you.  He created a body that relies on microscopic beta cells to maintain health.  He created you and placed you, “in the body, each (particular one) of you, just as he wished and saw fit and with your best adaptation.” (see 1 Corinthians 12:18 from above)

Beta cells, though microscopic, have the power of life and death. Operate from the unseen.  Bring life!