The Upper Room Devotion for Monday, August 28, 2023, was written by Peter Galigiuri of Florida.
Scripture
14 Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot would say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear would say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many members, yet one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; 24 whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, 25 that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.
1 Corinthians 12:14-26
Author's Thoughts
I tend to take my little toe for granted. But not long ago I had a revelation about that toe's value when it met the leg of my kitchen table. first I heard a crack, and then I felt a pain that forced me to sit down for several minutes until my head cleared. At that moment, no other part of my body mattered; all I could focus on was my toe.
That broken toe affected every other part of my body for weeks. My morning walk changed to a morning hobble to the coffee pot. I traded my regular seat near the front of the church for the one nearest the door. Even getting my shoes on and off was a delicate task. I grew in appreciation for something I often take for granted.
The same is sometimes true in the body of Christ. Maybe there are members of our church or even our family whom we take for granted. Maybe we have overlooked someone's value because we have focused too much on ourselves. But Jesus notices and values each member of his body. After all, Jesus loved each one of us so much that he gave his life for ours.
Pastor Anthony's Thoughts
Friends,
It is easy to fall into the trap of overlooking those things and people we deem insignificant. As our children return to school, we are keenly aware they may be confronted by bullies and others that may ridicule them for who they are. In order to combat the potential harm caused by callous words and malicious actions, we remind our children just how special they are. We tell them that people who cannot see their value, or who are envious because of it, their opinions don't matter. In like fashion, Christ reminds us of how valuable we are and how we have been chosen to transform the world. May we all share with others the invaluable gift of being seen, being heard, and being valued, for that is what Christ has given each of us.
Author's Prayer
Father God, help us to see and appreciate others the way Jesus did so that we can show your love to the world. Amen.