And this morning my pastor preached on 1 Corinthians 12. Something he said reminded me of a conversation I had a very long time ago at a bible study. One of the women said half-jokingly something like "yes, but some parts of the (church) body are less important... like the pancreas". My year 12 biology self had to say something! Me: "But the pancreas produces insulin - without insulin you would DIE from diabetes!!!!"
Now verses I thought of for Christian VC readers:
1 Corinthians 12:22-24 The weakest, ugliest, and most-in-need-of-physical-support organs in the body are the ones critical for digesting food, hormone regulations, excretion of bodily waste, strong immune system etc.
1. We are not easily observed doing work for the church church like evangelists/ ministers (mouths), obvious helpers (arms and legs). Without us doing the hidden, invisible work the body of Christ would soon get very ill. Therefore, the church needs **you**.
2. The hidden organs need a lot of shelter and support. I know the fact you are drawn to the dark and mysterious topics via VC website that you are a lot more likely to have been unsettled early in life, have difficult life circumstances and are seeking to create inner order amongst your life chaos. **YOU** need the church.
Now my local church is still very different to me and unless God brings something or someone like me I will always tend to feel like the outsider. I have to force myself most WEEKS!!!! If you, Christian VC reader, also feel like you don't fit in the church**, it is quite possible you are the part they are missing and God brought you there for a reason (and that reason may not be clear to you for a very long time).
Part of maturing as a Christian is seeking to support other in whatever God sees fit for you. Church attendance can feel like a chore at times. It is for your brothers-and-sisters' in Christ sake as well as your own that you should attend church when possible (depending on circumstances e.g. do not go if you have a bad case of the 'flu).
---
** Only go to a bible believing church. No church attendance is better than going to a false religion/ cultish church, but that should be a last resort and not an excuse for disobeying one of God's commandments
Hebrews 10:23-25