Little Members Count
January 10, 2018
2 Corinthians 12:21-23 21 “And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness (that which is suitable, graceful, handsome).”
Have you ever slammed the outside top left corner of your right-hand thumbnail in a skid-loader door? I had to release the latch to let my thumb go. I nailed it so hard it didn’t even hurt…at first. There was not too much blood either. It was just kind of squashed and split. The damaged nail and flesh measured 3/8” long by 2/8” wide. Compared to the rest of my body, it is nearly insignificant.
My thumb did not agree 
with the insignificant part. Shooting throbbing pain ran through my digit to my hand to my arm and to my brain. Ouch!!!!! That hurts! After several weeks, my thumb still lets me know how important he is. Every time I hit the space bar typing this letter he says, “Hey you, remember me?” My injured thumb can behave like a tyrant. “OK, Big Boy, you just try buttoning your dress shirts without me. Have fun tying your shoes, and you best be careful shaking hands. One wrong move and I will once again remind you to take better care of me next time!”
In the body of Christ, everyone is important. When one member hurts, it affects us all. How careful we should be not to slam somebody’s feelings; how quick we should be to care when somebody is hurting or in need. In doing so, we are really caring not just for them, but ourselves and we are even touching the Lord. Matthew 25:40 “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
Pain is a gift from God to let us now something is wrong physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Pain is a call to action on the part of the one distressed. Pain, observed by others, is an opportunity to minister. Pain, left unattended, usually only gets worse.
“Now listen here, Little Thumb. I have cleaned you, salved you, bandaged you, and gingerly treated you. I get the message you’re important. But I am going over your head and mine.”
“Lord, please bring complete healing to my thumb. And, Lord, while you are ministering to such a small thing, please consider the greater needs of my brothers and sisters, friends and family who may be experiencing unresolved pain today. Lord, give them wisdom to take the necessary care of themselves, courage to lean on others for help, and faith to call upon you in their time of need.”
In Jesus Name and for His Sake,
Pastor John Schofield
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