By Not Known
I Corinthians 12:18: But in fact, God has arranged the parts in the body every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.
I Corinthians 12:24b: God has combined the members of the body…
These verses come from a passage where the apostle Paul emphasises that although there is one body, it is made up of many parts and each part is integral and essential. Furthermore, we need each other (12:21 the eye cannot say to the hand “I don’t need you!” and the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”)
These two verses emphasise God’s part in the composition of any local church and even the universal church. We are not here together by accident or chance. You didn’t just “happen to walk in”, nor were you somehow attracted by some particular aspect of our worship or brought by a friend – although in your mind you thought these might have been the main reasons. God in His Sovereign purpose has brought each one of us together to form this particular congregation at this particular time of your life, and at this particular time in the history of ORPC. God Almighty has brought you here to be part of this spiritual family! Therefore it follows that we must ask what He wants us to do, how He wants us to serve, what role/roles He wants us to play.
The fact that in the next section of I Corinthians 12, Paul speaks about spiritual gifts is significant. He speaks of the apostles and prophets who were unique and foundational for the New Testament Church, but he also mentions “workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues”. Whatever gift we have we are to use it faithfully to build up the body (the congregation) we are part of. Each one of us has a gift or combination of gifts to be used for the common good (I Cor 12:4-7). New members/worshipers are not just names added to a roll; each one brings much that is precious which can be a blessing to the Kingdom. We need to be open to fresh ways of ministry and ideas as the Spirit leads us through these sisters and brothers whom God has brought to us.
So if God has brought you here, what does He want you to contribute specifically to the wellbeing of this church through your gifts, your abilities and your experiences? Perhaps we can picture God like a soccer manager who has “transferred” you from another club and has plans to use you in His team. Again, God could be likened to a CEO who has “head-hunted” you and has a specific role for you in his company. You are here just as He intended. Don’t just attend services; get involved. What are you doing for God to strengthen His Body at ORPC?