As many of you may know, I broke my hand a few weeks ago.  More specifically, I broke the top knuckle on the little finger of my left hand.  All my kids were here for a family reunion and in throwing the football the accident happened.

Before I get to the spiritual lessons of this matter let me sing the praises of the NHS.  I have had wonderful treatment by excellent staff.  My surgeon at Wexham Park is amazing.  I was ushered through the red tape and queues and given red carpet treatment.  Maybe the Lord had something to do with that along with the prayers of so many.

This accident has provided a great object lesson for 1 Corinthians 12:14-27.  You know the passage.  It speaks of the Body of Christ being like our body – each member being very important.  Verse 22 says “No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.”  Is that ever true.  What seems less important than the little finger on our left hand (being right handed)?  I can tell you, that when the little finger is hurting, taken out of commission, everything changes.  My body does not work well at all.  I cannot do the things I should be doing.  It effects my whole body. It seems to cause pain everywhere.

After the surgery and after the huge pins and wires were removed (felt like pulling a nail out of a 4X2!) they made a hard plastic splint for my hand.  This pretty much immobilized the four fingers on my left hand.  After a week I was told to take it off and begin to exercise it.  But, with only one week of immobilisation, the fingers were so stiff I could hardly use them.

The spiritual conclusion is inescapable.  Every Christian is important to the Body.  You may think you are insignificant, like the little finger, but without you things don’t work as they should. YOU ARE IMPORTANT AND VALUABLE.  Secondly, you, as a member of the Body, need to be moving — working, doing, exercising your faith, using your gifts, or you will become sluggish, stiff, unhealthy.  USE IT OR LOSE IT!  Don’t sit on the sidelines.  For the Kingdom to advance everyone is needed.