For, to begin with, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and to some extent I believe it.
(1 Corinthians 11.18 NRSV)

Arnold Prater has turned Paul's teaching into a parable: Once upon a time, he says, almost everybody was an ear. All the ears had a big convention and were having a wonderful time when a nose and a mouth walked in, sat down on the back row, and were very quiet. But soon the sergeant-at-arms walked over and said, "You fellows don't look like ears to me. I'm kicking you out." So the nose and the mouth left. But after a while the convention hall caught fire and destroyed all the ears because no noses were there to smell the smoke and no mouths were there to warn them the place was on fire!

A person who loses her sense of smell suffers. A person who loses his or her eyes has a much different view point. The same thing is true about members of Christ's body, the church. Every one of us is essential. Everyone is indispensable.

Lord Jesus, help me as I build up your church. Amen.

Ron Newhouse