YOU MATTER... BY AMY MEYER

Below is a great analogy of just how important each one of us are as a member of the Body of Christ and humanity. The author is unknown, but the story perfectly illustrates why we need each other.

The Value of One

As the story goes, a congregation built a new church building,
And people came from far and wide to see it. They admired
Its beauty! Up on the roof, a little nail heard the people
Praising everything about the lovely structure–except the
Nail! No one even knew he was there, and he became angry and jealous. “If I am that insignificant, nobody will miss me...

If I quit!” So the nail then released its hold, slid down the
roof, and fell in the mud.
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That night it rained and rained. Soon, the shingle that had no
nail blew away, and the roof began to leak. The water
streaked the walls and the beautiful murals. The plaster
began to fall, the carpet was stained, and the pulpit Bible was
ruined by water. All this because a little nail decided to quit!

But what of the nail? While holding the shingle, it was
obscure, but it was also useful. Buried in the mud, it was just
as obscure, but now it was useless and would soon be eaten
up by rust!

This puts something’s into perspective for sure.

Romans advises us quite well in this; read below what it says.
Rom 12: 4-6In this way, we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe, we wouldn’t amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other or trying to be something we aren’t. (Message)

This analogy of the nail and Romans can sure put us in check to stop listening to the lies that hit our minds. The lies that say, we don’t really matter much because we’re not as good as… or like so n’ so.  Or the thoughts that no one even notices us or considers asking our advice or opinion. 

We, too, often forget just who we are. And that is exactly the plan of the enemy. As soon as he can block your true image, then he can disarm his greatest threat, and that, my friend, is YOU!  Who are you? Why is he so scared of you? You have been adopted and rejoined into the King of King's family. You carry His name, His authority, His nature, His will, His power, His love, His words!  You are His divine sons and daughters, not some hired servant! That makes YOU a great powerful force to be reckoned with! Only believe & receive! That’s Christ's way.
 
Galatians 4:5-7 (MSG) Thus, we have been set free to experience our rightful heritage. You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives, crying out, “Papa! Father!” Doesn’t that privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain that you are not a slave but a child? And if you are a child, you’re also an heir, with complete access to the inheritance.
 
Ephesians 2:6-10(Amp) 6 And He raised us together with Him [when we believed], and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, [because we are] in Christ Jesus, 7 [and He did this] so that in the ages to come He might [clearly] show the immeasurable and unsurpassed riches of His grace in [His] kindness toward us in Christ Jesus [by providing for our redemption]. 8 For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; 9 not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation]. 10 For we are His workmanship [His own masterwork, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set] so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].

When you join together with your brothers and sisters, the enemy trembles!  You begin to realize your identity and start living from there in your family.  There is nothing like it on earth! You have been marked with Christ. You are uniquely you, and your family members need you!  We were created, each one of us, as a joint that supplies the other, so that all the body needs are met.

There is nothing more glorious, second to knowing our wonderful King and Father, than the freedom and joy of being you! The freedom to flow in the function and ability you're created for. Exuberant life and passion flow when this takes place! 
 
Your Father is greatly pleased in the pleasure and glory it brings Him and his family, as you blossom full of the authentic one-of-a-kind fragrance that exudes from you, being true to your design.

 If God is perfect, then why would you want to change something about you or someone else that God declares perfect by design?  
I am referring to:
 
Jeremiah 1:5 (MSG)  “Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you.
Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you.”

 Psalm 139:13-16 (NLT) 13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knitted me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. 
 
Since we are wonderfully made, the next part is defining our authentic piece in the Body of Christ so that we can supply the other joints.

 Eph. 4:  4-6 (MSG) You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness. But that doesn’t mean you should all look and speak and act the same. Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his own gift.

He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ’s followers in skilled supportive work, working within Christ’s body, the church, until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ.
 
These Gifts mentioned above are often called to the inner work of the body, such as the inside organs that keep us alive and well.  God also gave gifts to the outer body parts, such as the gift of helps, encouragement, and hospitality, through our limbs, hands, feet, etc.… Offered through acts of service, business, care-giving, creativity and beyond. 


Rom.12:  6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. 
 
 If you find yourself frustrated, thinking that your gift is not as important as someone else’s, God doesn’t measure that way. You are here on this earth, sent by him, and loved by your heavenly Father. He has created you with extraordinary gifts that only you can operate in.

Enjoy the expression of Love, God's uniquely given you, and have fun dishing it out to humanity! You matter! 
 

Many Blessings to you, my friends and family!
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Love you all! -Amy-