Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. --1 Corinthians 12:27

At a meeting of the American Psychological Association, Jack Lipton, a psychologist at Union College, and R. Scott Builione, a graduate student at Columbia University, presented their findings on how members of the various sections of 11 major symphony orchestras perceived each other .

The percussionists were viewed as insensitive, unintelligent, and hard-of-hearing, yet fun-loving. String players were seen as arrogant, stiff, and non-athletic. The orchestra members overwhelmingly chose "loud" as the primary adjective to describe the brass players. Woodwind players seemed to be held in the highest esteem, described as quiet and meticulous, though a bit egotistical.

These were interesting findings! How could an orchestra ever come together to make such wonderful music with such widely different personalities and perceptions? The answer is very simple: regardless of how these musicians view each other, they discard their feelings and biases to follow the leadership of the conductor. Under his guidance, they play the most beautiful music.

The Scripture says, "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink" (1 Corinthians 12:12-13).

No matter where you serve—in a soup kitchen, in a Bible study, as a minister, as a prayer warrior, as an usher, or in another area—the body can't function properly without your help! You are an important part of the body of Christ!

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for each member of the Body of believers who come together to serve Him and others. Ask the Lord to make you a blessing in the Body and use you significantly as a member for His glory. 

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