Welcome to “Joni and Friends.” Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada.
You know how you can read a verse a hundred times, then, suddenly, you see something you never noticed before? That's what happened when I recently read First Corinthians chapter 12, verse 18. The apostle Paul is speaking about the body of Christ, and he says, "God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be." Okay, you’re thinking, "What’s so unusual about that?" But here’s the thing: I was reading this verse at the close of a note that my friend, Kim, had sent me. And nothing was unusual, except that Kim had underlined the word "just."
So I paused for a moment, and pondered that underlined word. Because every word in Scripture, we know, is inspired by the Spirit of God, right? So, why did Paul write that little word “just”? Well, it means “exactly” or “specifically,” which means, God has a unique role just for me—and just for you, too. You're living where you are, doing what you're doing, and surrounded by the people with whom you live and work because you are the only one who can fit that niche. God has carved it out just for you. When it comes to where you live in relating to the people you’re around every day, you fit.
In fact, when you think about it, 1 Corinthians chapter 12, verse 18 is a little like “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” When it comes to your place in the kingdom, things aren't too hot or too cold, too soft or hard, too big or small. God's got it "just right." You may not realize it, but your church needs you. Your spouse may not understand it, but you are the one perfectly matched for him or her, as the case may be. Your kids may not get the point, but you are the mother or father perfectly designed to raise them best. Your friends would be missing something—a big something—were you not in their lives. And if you don’t see how you fit, or how you’re matched, or the “something” your friends are missing, then seek what God wants you to do, or say, or be in all of these relationships … because God’s got you right—just right. And it’s us who need to have the eyes of our hearts opened to what’s really going on around us.
You can't miss God's will for your life (unless you're off on some sinful path). Friend, you are smack in the middle of it. So open your eyes. This is where and how you fit. So, how are you going to let that piece of information infiltrate your actions and thoughts today? What does that mean regarding the so-called "mundane" aspects of your life? Well, as you go about the everyday-ness of life—chopping veggies for dinner, or submitting that essay to your professor, or having lunch with a coworker, or signing up for a church committee—ask God to bring to mind the thought that you are the perfect person to be in that place. God has arranged all the parts of his body just what he wants them to be, so thank him for selecting you to be where you’re at and who you’re with today.
Hey, if you think these words might be encouraging to someone you know, then find “Joni and Friends” on Facebook and share this with a coworker or fellow student, a family member, or someone at church. And you can always drop us a line on the “Joni and Friends” wall or visit my radio page and post a comment at joniandfriends.org. Because First Corinthians chapter 12, verse 18 is worth sharing, for (let me repeat it) "God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be." Today, join me in celebrating that word “just”—because God always has it just right. Come by and visit me today at our radio page at joniandfriends.org and let us hear from you. Until next time, thank you for listening to “Joni and Friends”.
© Joni and Friends, 2013
Compliments of Joni and Friends
PO Box 3333 Agoura Hills, CA 91376