One of the things some people like to do, especially during this time of social distancing and isolation, is to put together jigsaw puzzles. There is nothing more frustrating that to get the whole puzzle put together and find that there is a piece missing – especially if you are a perfectionist. Some of the more complicated puzzles have pieces that look almost identical, but when you try to fit them into a slot, they definitely are not in the right space.
Ephesians 4:9-16 tells us that God is building his Church. If you have accepted Christ as your Savior, you are part of his Church and he has a special slot for you. Verse 16 says “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” The King James version of the Bible says the whole body is fitly joined together and compacted “by that which every joint supplies.” In other words, every single person has something to contribute to the body of Christ.
Paul wrote that Christians should “no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.” (Oh, that sounds so very familiar!!!) The root meaning of this verse according to Strong’s Concordance, is “to be mentally agitated like waves mentally.” A sign of maturity is to not be swayed or tossed back and forth.
So, what keeps people from contributing their part to the body of Christ, or being that piece that fits into a special slot? Obviously, we don’t all contribute the same thing. We can’t all be pastors, teachers or evangelists, (Eph. 4:11), but we can all fit into the slot that God has ordained and prepared for us. We are not like that puzzle piece that looks like another one, but definitely is not in the right slot. God has just the right spot for us.
Some things that keep people from maturing and fitting into the place that Christ has for them can be hurts, offenses, misunderstandings, blind spots, uncertainty and sin. A blog could be written on each one of these, but for each one there is a cure. Be willing to lay down your own agenda and submit to Christ. Philippians 2:3 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” I didn’t say that; the Bible says it!! Even if you don’t agree with them, especially politically!! (Now I’ve gone to meddling!!)
Don’t be that missing piece!! The body of Christ needs each person who has been called by Christ so that it can grow into that perfect body that Christ is coming for!!
