Missing "Body Parts"

   God can give wake-up calls in a number of ways; through circumstances, the service of others, or even a powerful sermon and songs of praise. But today He spoke to me in the stillness of a morning at home in the company of a good book. Last night I visited my church's library with a few minutes to kill and a strong thirst for something to read. (I know, there's a good chance you probably think I sound crazy, but as they say it takes all kinds!) So I checked out a few books that were suggested by my youth pastor, and then one book just jumped out at me and I knew I wanted to read it. It was a short novel written by an author I'd read before so I knew it'd be pretty good, but I didn't realize that it would renew my heart for others and refresh my spirit to further God's kingdom.
   
   "The Gifted," by Terri Blackstock, is about three co-workers who start a Bible study group in their office. They spread the word over email, but on the first day no one else shows up. Feeling useless and defeated, they decide to read a passage anyway, but right as they start an earthquake ravages their town, destroying their office building and burying them under three stories of rubble. One is blinded, another breathes in smoke and destroys his vocal chords and lungs, and another has his legs crushed by the debris. They are eventually found and rescued, and after a night in the hospital are all miraculously healed and gifted with supernatural powers from God. The woman who was blind can see visions of the past with His eyes, the man who couldn't speak can take the knowledge of one's situation and deliver God's Words in unbelievable ways, and the man who was crippled ran where the Holy Spirit led him, never knowing where he might end up but always finding someone in need. They work together, each using their own gift, to bring many of those affected by the earthquake and other circumstances to a relationship with Christ. The town is ultimately changed forever, and revival sweeps through the wreckage and turns it into something beautiful.

  There are many great truths in this book, but the focal point of it all is the verse in Romans 12 that says, "For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many; are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another." Through using their miraculous gifts from God, the three co-workers learn that although they were blessed with such amazing abilities, they needed others to work with them to pick up where they left off. Upon losing their "powers" after 48 hours, they realize through the work of their church family that the real power is in what God has given everyone, and if all did their part, then they would as one body have all the gifts they could ever need.

   This book may be a work of fiction, but it represents a key concept of serving a God who is as real as it gets. We are all one body, and without each person using their own spiritual gifts, the body cannot reach its full potential. We don't all have the same gifts, but if we did then there would be missing "body parts." God can use the whispered words of encouragement of a loving friend as well as the strong and profound ones of a preacher in a pulpit, and, as valuable as a natural leader is, sometimes all He needs is someone with a desire to follow Him with all their heart. James 1:17 says, "Every good gift and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." Our gifts from God in their purest form, each and every one, are good and perfect gifts, and just like our God never changes, this fact will always stay the same. We must all work together, staying on mission whatever our current situation may be, because without me, without YOU, without all of us doing our part, the body of Christ will be without many vital parts. We are the body, and He is the soul. He tells us what to do, but in order to properly function we have to be willing to listen. I may struggle at times to do my part, but I pray that I will be ready. Will you?