"A Part to Play"
These divisions of the gatekeepers, corresponding to their chief men, had duties, just as their brothers did, ministering in the house of the Lord. And they cast lots by fathers' houses, small and great alike, for their gates. (1 Chronicles 26:12, 13 ESV)
Every role is important for the people of God. From gatekeepers to priests, small & great, everyone had a part to play. They assigned everyone a specific role & they fulfilled that role for the benefit of the entire community unto the Lord. Not just one person was responsible but everyone took responsibility.
This part of 1 Chronicles reminds me of the body of Christ. Or at least God's design for the body of Christ. The Church centers on Jesus but isn't just about one person. Leaders in the church may be more visible but it doesn't mean they are more valued or more important. Everyone has a part to play & every role is important. We have created a gap between clergy & laity that I believe borders on being unbiblical. I'm not downplaying the importance of pastors, deacons, elders, or leaders in the church. What I do want to emphasize is the necessity of every member of the body to do their part to fulfill the mission of God. From nursery workers to outreach coordinators, God has called & gifted us all to do his work in the world. If only Christians could see themselves as able to reach many more types of people than even their own pastor can reach. God has placed his people in the world as teachers, plumbers, lawyers, nurses, etc., to be missionaries to their specific context. Everyone of us has a role to play in God's kingdom, not just the paid staff. The question is, what is my role & how can I best fulfill it where I am?
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