Show Up

1 Corinthians 12 :12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it,25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Sometimes the devil is relentless in making you doubt your value. He knows our vulnerabilities, and he preys on them. He makes you second guess if you are good enough or loved, if you should pursue or should back down.

Sisters, never ever doubt the value that you bring. Never back down from encouraging others of the same because the devil is on mission to derail your passion, your enthusiasm, your confidence, and your walk with Christ. I know because I feel it. And I can teach week after week to be alert for his attacks, but there are times we all get tired, we all grow weary, and we all fall prey.

We need one another. If you are the teacher, you need people to show up. If you are the participant, you need others to show up. So often we feel that unless we are the teacher, our attendance is optional. Please know that commitment is commitment. That teacher is depending on you just like you are depending on that teacher.

Imagine the encouragement that a full church brings to a pastor, or the discouragement that an empty one brings. The same with the empty seats in a classroom, Bible study, or any other event.

And we all need to show up with our spiritual gifts primed and ready because your gift is needed. Whether it is an encourager or a teacher, a prayer leader or a praise leader, your gift is treasured and so important. We all need your gifts.

Our pastors need us to show up. Our classes need us to show up. Our Bible studies need us to show up. God needs you to show up because He has a place for you – He sees value in your gift and He wants you to share it with those that need it.

Don’t shirk your duties, whatever those duties are. Show up.