You’re Not Extra: Every Part Matters
For twenty years, I served in the United States Air Force, and when people found that out, I would often get some version of the same question: “Oh, were you a pilot?”
I never took offense to it even though I wasn’t. But it makes sense. When most people think about the Air Force, they picture pilots and airplanes. That's the part everyone sees. But what most people don't see are the hundreds of other jobs it takes to get an aircraft off the ground, accomplish its mission, and bring it home safely.
There are maintainers turning wrenches and people working logistics, intelligence, communications, security, medical support, and dozens of other specialties. And that's before you consider all the other critical Air Force missions that don't involve an airplane at all.
Twenty years in the military taught me something I've carried with me ever since: Just because your role isn't the most visible doesn't mean your role isn't vital to the mission.
I think we can make the same mistake in the Church.
When we think about "ministry," our minds often go to the pastor giving a message or the worship team leading songs. Those roles absolutely matter. But the Body of Christ has a whole lot more than two parts. That's the picture Paul gives us in 1 Corinthians 12.
Paul was writing to a church that knew plenty about division and comparison. So, when he talks about spiritual gifts, he reminds them that their gifts may look different, but they come from the same God and are given for the same purpose:
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord... To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”
1 Corinthians 12:4-7
Don't miss those last few words: for the common good.
God didn't give you gifts just so you could feel gifted. He's entrusted something to you that can strengthen somebody else.
Paul goes on to compare the Church to a human body. A healthy body needs eyes, hands, feet, ears, and plenty of other parts we rarely think about until one stop working. The parts are different because they're supposed to be different. Paul even says, “God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be” (1 Corinthians 12:18).
Different roles. Different gifts. Different expressions. Same Body. Same Spirit. Same mission.
So what does that mean for you?
You're not extra.
You don't have to hold a microphone for God to use your life. Maybe you're the person who notices who's standing alone. Maybe you help people feel safe enough to be honest. Maybe you lead a group, care for kids, pray with people, organize chaos, encourage someone who's struggling, or simply keep showing up when others don't.
Your gift doesn't have to be “impressive” to be important. It just has to be surrendered.
Maybe you're not even sure what your gift is yet. That's okay. Or maybe you've spent enough time comparing yourself to someone else that you've quietly convinced yourself you don't have much to offer.
Instead of asking, “Why didn't God make me more like them?” what if we started asking, “God, what have You put in me, and how can I use it to help someone else?”
One of the best ways to discover that is simple: get known and get serving.
Step into biblical community and let people really know you. Build relationships with people who can encourage you, challenge you, and sometimes recognize gifts in you that you can't see yet. Then find somewhere to serve.
You don't have to have everything figured out first. Sometimes we discover how God has wired us by stepping into the fight. Show up, learn, and grow. And let others speak into your life, and use whatever God has placed in your hands today for the good of somebody else.
The Church was never designed to be a crowd of spectators watching a handful of gifted people do ministry. We are the Body of Christ.
There is a place for you in it. There are people who need what God has entrusted to you.
Every part matters. And that includes you.
Not sure where to start? Click here to learn how to Get into the Fight: Link
If this encouraged you, check out more articles from our Flatirons Spiritual Formation Team for practical tools, encouragement, and ways to grow in your faith and leadership. Click here.