There’s little doubt in questioning the importance of things that are clear and obvious. But it’s a mistake to assume that obscurity means less significance. And our potentially obscure role in God’s story doesn’t make it any less important.
To be sure, our hands and feet, eyes, ears, mouth, and nose are all clearly seen and hold an undeniable place of honor in our body. On the other hand, we have many internal organs we likely don’t even know the name of, but that keep us alive and functioning at optimal levels. However obscure on the surface, they still play a vital role in the health of the body.
And this might be true for our role in God’s story as well. Of course, it’s easy to see the importance of missionaries, pastors, and other ministry leaders. And we might then conclude we’re unimportant when these are not roles we occupy. But, like within our physical bodies, importance is not determined by prestige.
For instance, we might be the proverbial spleen, gallbladder, or even rectum. While not glamorous per se, our humble, thankless, and often unnoticed work supports the mission of the body all the same.
God has given us each a gift for doing certain things well. And we will shine bright as it relates to this particular gift. But this doesn’t mean that our gift will be clearly seen and evident for everyone to openly affirm. All the same, God has bestowed our role with divine honor and value regardless of its reputation otherwise. And we dishonor God when we look down on our position for not being as publicly celebrated as another.
In the end, God has given each part of the body its divine purpose. And this remains true however obscure your calling seems to be. Play your part with dignity and honor even when it’s not center stage.
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