How Connected are We?

Posted Dec 18, 05:14 PM by Kay Camenisch

Adjusting to life without the use of my right hand has gone better than I expected, but it has produced challenges and has raised questions about the analogy to the body of Christ.

One finger has drastically compromised my whole hand for a season. With the bandage covering my hand, except for part of my thumb and the tips of three fingers, many things are a challenge. With difficulty, I can wash my own hair and make it somewhat passable. I’m also typing—with my left hand only, mostly with two fingers, and requiring many corrections. Because I practiced before surgery I can eat with my left hand too, good enough that I don’t call attention to myself—after Robert cuts my meat and broccoli spears.

What I can do is clumsy, takes longer, and wears me out, but there are still many things I can’t do. Cooking is beyond me. I can get out pans and ingredients, but I can’t open things, measure, cut, stir effectively, get things out of the oven, wash dishes, etc. I’m dependent on Robert for dressing, eating, transporting items, and on and on. I don’t know what I’d do without him and it’s all because one finger would not do its job consistently.

Which brings me back to the church. In the body of Christ, if one member fails to carry his load, does the whole suffer so drastically? Making it unable to perform—like my hand? Or requiring others’ time and effort to fill in the gaps—like Robert?

When Achan disobeyed, the nation of Israel suffered the consequences at Ai (Josh.6 &7)—but that was flagrant disobedience. I’m not sure the two situations are comparable—but neither am I sure they’re not. (Is it disobedience when we don’t function as body members?)

What do you think? When one member of the body doesn’t fulfill his/her purpose, does it sometimes prevent others from doing theirs, in essence stopping the work? The Bible makes it clear that we are connected, dependant on one another, and what one does affects the whole, but how drastically are we connected? If I don’t fulfill my purpose in the body, can it prevent you from fulfilling yours?