Behind the Scenes #6—Godly DNA

Just as the body is a unit with many members … so too is Christ … God has placed each of us in the fellowship just as he desired … God has engineered the body so that by giving greater honor to the lesser member there will be no division in the body, but that the members may have mutual concern for one another. 1 Corinthians 12:12–25

Why do our toes grow at the end of our feet and not at the end of our hands? Why do stomachs form in the middle of our digestive tracts, between the esophagus and the small intestine? Why do some blood vessels form with smooth interiors (arteries) and some with backflow prevention valves (veins)? Why aren’t we all ear or all hand or all heart? The short answer: DNA. Our genetic code governs the process of body part distribution. And aren’t we glad when we sense every individual part playing its part, so that we function as an integrated unit? A similar but greater delight can be ours as we contemplate the wonders of how God—the body of Christ’s holy DNA—orchestrates our placement and integration into the fellowship of believers. He chooses us, calls us, places us, and gifts us specifically, not randomly. Our opportunities and abilities for service that will be profitable for other believers occur because of God’s effective efforts. Thus, by God’s grace, we can joyfully serve as the “belly button” or the “brain” the Body of Christ needs when it needs us.

Wise Creator, open my eyes to see, and my heart to engage with, the other members of Body I’m best suited to serve.