But quite the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are [absolutely] necessary; and as for those parts of the body which we consider less honorable, we treat these with greater honor. (AMP)
1 Corinthians 12:22-23a
As we take a final look at Paul’s analogy on the body and its many unique parts, [did you spot the cake analogies?] we return to focus on the penetrating theology around Paul’s words of how we honor parts in our communities we consider ‘less honorable’. So, if we now acknowledge that disabled members of a church or missional community are valued members of the body of Christ. And we recognize that they are also recipients of God-given gifts, which is, by definition, a needed spiritual gift that is indispensable. Paul then argues that we should honor those members by releasing their spiritual gifts as they would others. Not to, is to dismiss an inescapable anointing that all have been created for. “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus [in all our diversity] to do good works that God has prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph 2:10)
The process between having a God-given gift released and then being commissioned to do the work can be a long one though. I have found that people who have long-term experience of disability generally become pretty comfortable in their own skin and therefore are more likely to want prayer for things that anyone else in a community would want, family relationships, financial difficulties, healing for a minor illness that is hindering them from a planned activity, and generally being useful. Would it be too much of a stretch to imagine a prayer request that starts with “I want to know what God wants me to do here?”
It took 15 years for a prophecy given to me by the leader of the Vineyard Christian movement to take root before the Apostolic gifts I now operate in were commissioned and released by my missional community. If Paul’s words in Ephesians are to be taken literally, that ‘anointing’ was even earlier. The natural and spiritual gifts in me being birthed when I was, and this took time to bear fruit, often as a result of some very tough times with little tangible evidence of what they might be. I’m still baffled by much of John Mumford’s prophecy. But in practicing abundant living, as God intended, I have grown to be confident in God’s leading to step out and give it a go.
REFLECT…
PRAY…
& STEP OUT
On this blog by Paul Pettit and B. Jason Epps on their book One Body, One Spirit: Disability and Community in the Church.
For revelation and releasing of potential gifts of disabled Believers. Those on the ‘outside’ can often better see the where the barriers and solutions are.
Have a mental audit on what gifts are being employed in your community/church and by whom. What opportunities for witness are being missed? What needs to change?