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Day 3–Different but essential

Scripture reading for March 25: 1 Corinthians 12:14-18 “For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as He chose.”

To help believers understand how their different gifts and abilities fit together in Christ’s body, Paul used the example of a human body. He satirically used parts of the body that were essential to the body’s function and gave them a complaint that they were not the center of attention. The foot and the hand reacted in jealousy to the other’s prominence. The ear and the eye had a similar complaint. Paul was revealing pride and boastfulness that bring division and disrupts the unified working of any team. Each person was a gift from God for the benefit of the body’s perfect function.

As first responders, it would be good to take note of this simple teaching and illustration from Scripture. The first thing to note is that whatever place you hold in the team of the department or unit you work with is God’s choice. You may have volunteered, or interviewed and were hired, but behind it all is God’s loving direction and the fulfilment of His plans.

Another point is that we recognize that each member of the team as important and we need them as they need us. The diversity of gifts is a great blessing. In the department that I belong to, I am so grateful for the many years of experience and the various levels of training that brings effectiveness to our team of firemen and women. I am blessed to learn from each person new skills and ways of working together. God has placed each person where He chose and given them gifts.

Prayer: Father God, thank You for overseeing the gifts and abilities given to each person. Thank You for the diversity of gifts and personalities that You put together. Help me to cooperate with Your purposes each day and to do my part to maintain unity. Amen.