I AM NOT AN EYE

I AM NOT AN EYE
 by Robert Fitts
 
In I Corinthians 12, Paul compares the Body of Christ to the human body as he explained spiritual gifts. “The body is not one member, but many. If the foot should say, ‘I am not a hand, so I am not of the body,’ is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, ‘I am not an eye, so I am not of the body.’ Is it therefore not of the body?”
 
It is a red letter day in my life when I can say with freedom and release that I am not an eye, for in admitting to what I am not I will begin to discover what I really am in the body of Christ!
 
For so many years of my walk with God, in my zeal I wanted to go everywhere and do everything. A missionary would come to our church and immediately I felt the call to go to the heathen tribes in the regions beyond. A chalk-talk artist would come and minister and in my excitement I would exclaim, "I can do that!" I would witness the dynamic ministry of an evangelist and long to be out on the road for God setting up a tent on a vacant lot to proclaim the Good News to the lost. Then there was the radio pastor, the pilot, the author, the teacher.
 
I have to admit that not only did I long to try my wings at all of the above, I drew a deep breath and took the leap into everything listed and more. Needless to say, I've suffered a lot of frustration and confusion over the years. But in spite of my "zeal without knowledge" all was not a total waste. But who knows how much more could have been accomplished if I had not gone off in so many directions at once?
 
Over the years, after a lot of unnecessary knocks and bruises, God has worked in me a measure of grace and revelation so that now I'm comfortable to say, "I'm not an eye," or "I'm not a hand, or foot." But this release has brought to me the same boldness to say "I am an eye or a hand or a foot." For the same understanding that shows me what I am not, also frees me to say what I am in the Body of Christ. And whatever I am will surely come to light, not only to me but also to those with whom I am closely related in God's Kingdom.
 
Have you found your identity within the Body of Christ? Have those who walk with you and labor with you in the Lord given clear confirmation to this? Are you trying to function as an eye when God has not called you or gifted you to be an eye? It is an absurdity to think of an ear trying to do the work of an eye, or a hand trying to do the work of a foot. Lest we become such an absurdity to ourselves and to those around us, here are some matters to consider in seeking to discover our gifts and callings in God:
 
 Seek not a place of prominence or influence. If it comes, do not run from it. Take your place as an eye if God has indeed made you an eye.
 
 Seek not a ministry; seek to minister. The world is full of needy, hurting people who need help and encouragement. The spirit of a true servant does not clamor for recognition. A servant does not need a stage or a spotlight to do his work. He only needs to love God and his fellow man, and be willing to spend and be spent serving others.
 
 Always remember that within the body of Christ there are no unimportant members. There are greater and lesser gifts but there is nothing to indicate that there are greater and lessermembers. Your place and function in the body is as important and necessary as the eye. There is no real need to strive to be an eye when you could just relax and be what God has already made you to be, no matter what that is.
 
 Do not be content to remain in the dark as to what you are. You need to know this and you have a right and responsibility to know this. Pray that God will make this clear to you and to others. A tremendous release and freedom will be yours when you find your identity and placement in the Body of Christ.
 
Normally God will work with us along the lines of our desires and inclinations. What do you want to be? What do you like to do? Where have you been most successful? What is it you do with ease that others struggle to master? Remember the words of Jesus when there was an uproar about when the woman pouring the expensive ointment on the feet of Jesus. Some said, “This could have been sold and given to the poor! Why this waste?" Jesus’ answer to them was, “Leave her alone. She has done what she could.” That is the key to getting started. Just do what you can do and leave the results in the hands of the Lord.
 
The apostle Paul said, "It is God at work in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure." To the fully yielded and trusting child of God, there is that special promise. It is God who is working inside of you to make you want to do what He wants you to do. At the same time God is giving the power to accomplish what He has motivated you to do. Such a release!! As we fully lean on Him, He begins to move supernaturally within us, stirring up desires "to will and to do of His good pleasure."
 
The very first step in discovering our place and function within the Body of Christ is to renounce all self will and self determination and trust God to produce in us a divine motivation to function according to His will. He always gives the very best to those who leave the choice with Him.
 
I may have little to offer, but I can do what I can do. God has gifted us all with something to lay at the feet of Jesus. There is something for me to do which God will enable me to do. And just as it stood for a memorial to the woman who poured out her love for Jesus in the best way she could, so will what you and I do, stand as a memorial to the grace of God in the ages to come. And remember, your function within the Body of Christ does not require a college degree! But don’t worry . . . Jesus didn’t have one either!
 


-- 
Robert Fitts
76-6309 Haku Pl 
Kona, HI 96740
robertjoni@gmail.com
www.robertfitts.com


Where It All Begins
Out of the womb of prayer, praise and worship all things in the kingdom of God are conceived, nurtured, and brought to birth for the glory of God and the good of mankind.

A Declaration of Unity
I belong to everything that belongs to Jesus and everything that belongs to Jesus belongs to me! It's not us and them. It's just us! There's only one Body of Christ, and the problems of the church, the whole church, are our problems, for we are the church and we can do more united than we can do divided! So let's unify, simplify, and multiply!

Divine Appointment Prayer
Father, give me a divine appointment today with someone who is hungry for God, or sick, or in need, and give me grace to minister the love of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Winning the War on Terror by Prayer
Father, give every terrorist in the world an encounter with Jesus such as Paul had on the road to Damascus.

Living to Give
Father, make me a generous giver today! Show me where to give and what to give, and let all my giving bring glory to the name of Jesus.

Say "Yes" to Grace and "No" to Law
Law demands, demands, demands, But gives me neither feet nor hands. Grace and Truth are better things, They bid me fly and give me wings!