Some time ago, our pet beagle Buster injured his right hind leg. Ever since then, he's been walking with a limp. Because he's not using the one leg at all, its muscles are shriveling up. Though the other hind leg has gotten more muscular, the limp is throwing his whole body off kelter. So this is not a good thing.I thought of this the other night while talking to one of our faithful nursery workers here at church. She loves the children and has a real heart for that area of ministry. But she shared a prayer request that more church members would serve on the rotation. She then commented, "Doesn't this have to do with that statistic about 20 percent of the people doing 80 percent of the work?" The problem, she noted, is that even the most dedicated servants get tired and discouraged over time when there's no one to help them.
That's when I thought of Buster. It's not good for him not to be using that leg for so long. It signals that there's a problem that needs to be checked out. Perhaps he needs surgery. At the very least he needs therapy. Even though his limp on the one side has made his other hind leg stronger, even that will eventually feel the wear and tear of carrying the burden of his body weight. God designed dogs to walk on all fours, not three out of four. Over time, this limp will affect his other joints as well. Why? Because everything is off balance, due to compensating for his lame leg.
If we're not careful, something similar can happen to the body of Christ. The Bible says that God has given each member of Christ's body certain spiritual gifts so that the body can function properly and grow to maturity as each member does its part (see 1 Cor. 12; Eph. 4:15-16). Of course the negative implication is that if each member does not do its part, then the whole body suffers. Everyone else is trying to pick up the slack, doing things they weren't intended to. As a result, the other members get worn out, the ministry becomes dysfunctional, and the whole body suffers.
At our church, we strive for an "every-member ministry." That's the way God designed the body to run -- not limp. As I consider our many members and ministries, I'm thankful that most people are plugged in. Yet I can see a few areas here and there that are lacking (or should I say limping), and needlessly so. If we all exercise our spiritual muscles, putting them to good use in the service of our Lord, the body of Christ will not be lacking ... or limping!
So, how are you using your gifts to build up the body of Christ?