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A few thoughts about the local church: as part of the body of Christ, we all have a part to play; there is no one unnecessary in the kingdom of God. When you attend church, it’s easy to feel like you're not needed. When every environment is welcoming and every volunteer seems eager to serve, it’s easy to think they’ve got it covered without your help. 

1 Corinthians 12:12 - For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.

God expects all of His church to be involved in some aspect of serving others.  We are all partners together.  As we examine the local church, we can see that God intends for everyone to find a place to serve and work for the Lord. 

Romans 12:4-5 - For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 

You have a destiny and a call on your life, something that only you can do for the Kingdom of God.  God has equipped you to fulfill the plan that He has for you. Just like your natural body has no unnecessary parts, so it’s true with the body of Christ; everyone has a function and is necessary and essential.  

As Jesus taught on the parable of the talents, He said that you must use whatever abilities or gifts you have - no exceptions. 

Matthew 25:21 - His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'

Notice it was only the faithful who received the reward. When we all do our part and serve in the body, the church grows and continues to reach out to those who are lost. 

Sometimes people feel unfulfilled in their walk with God, and this is usually the issue: if you are only taking, receiving from others, and being blessed by others, but do not give out, it will leave you feeling unfulfilled.  God wants to use everyone.  Begin to ask the Lord ‘What is my part in the body’ Everyone has a purpose!

When you step out and take your place serving others, it will begin a transformation in your life. I want to give you four practical ways serving will change your life:

1. Serving directly increases our faith. Through serving, God allows you to see Him change people’s lives. Watching God work in someone else’s life increases our faith. Serving allows us to experience His power firsthand, and that naturally produces faith in us.

2. Serving helps us see and experience what we’re made for. Through serving, you can experience the profound joy that comes from giving to others. God has gifted you, and He and the church highly value you. God also uses our service and the people we serve to reveal our gifts to us. When we serve in our gifting, we experience the kind of joy we were made for.

3. Serving draws us into an authentic community. God uses the people you serve with to encourage, pray, and teach you. Your relationship with Jesus and others will grow as a result.

4. Serving requires obedience and redirects our focus to Jesus. The simplest way to follow Jesus is by doing what He did. When we begin to care for and serve others, God redirects our focus. 

Believing the lie that the church doesn’t need you will rob you of the blessings God designed for you to experience through serving. Take a risk and get involved. God will honor that step of faith and grow it into so much more!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I ask that you help me to find my place in the Body of Christ.  I know that you have a purpose and a plan for my life.  I know that you have called me to be a light in the world. Help me to use the talents and gifts that you have given me to bless others. In Jesus' name, I pray, amen.