Missing Pieces: I'll Do It! - Living Free - June 25

Missing Pieces: I'll Do It!

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org

Today's Scripture
"But God has put all parts of our body together in the way that he decided is best. A body isn't really a body, unless there is more than one part. It takes many parts to make a single body. That's why the eyes cannot say they don't need the hands. That's also why the head cannot say it doesn't need the feet."  1 Corinthians 12:18-21 CEV

Thoughts for Today
Puzzle manufacturers design the puzzle pieces to fit together into a perfect whole. If every piece had the same shape, they would never fit together to form the picture. And so, God does with the body of Christ. Each "piece" has a specific purpose and place to serve. Each one has the gifts and abilities to do what God has designed him or her to do. But sometimes various puzzle pieces are missing because another one has decided to take over their spots.

Some individuals want to do everything themselves and don't give others an opportunity to use their gifts. The reasons vary. "It's just easier to do everything myself than to wait on others." "If I do it, I know it will be done right." Sometimes it's a matter of wanting to be in control. Or wanting to impress others.

Consider this… 
When we try to "take over," we are depriving others of the opportunity to serve. God's plan calls for everyone to fill a particular role. When we interfere with that plan by trying to do it all ourselves, the body is not functioning as a body. It would be like the eyes saying they don't need the hands. Or the head saying it doesn't need the feet.

If you are a "take charge" person who tends to "take over," consider your actions. You are just one part of the body. When you do the part God designed you to do, you are contributing to the whole. When you try to do more, you are tampering with God's perfect design.

Prayer
Father, please forgive me for my tendency to take over. Help me to be sensitive and obedient to your plan. Help me to encourage others in the role you have given them instead of trying to do it for them. In Jesus' name...

These thoughts were drawn from …One Nation Under God: Toward Race Reconciliation by Donna Saunders, Ph.D. and Jean Leak, MS, RN. This study discusses barriers between people and shows how to make Christ visible through love in action. This guide also offers the way to strengthen and bond relationships. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.

©Living Free 2019. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day® devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN, www.LivingFree.org. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending an e-mail to info@LivingFree.org

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©Living Free 2018. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day® devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN, www.LivingFree.org. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending an e-mail to info@LivingFree.org