…an enormous eye or a gigantic hand wouldn't be a body, but a monster. (1 Corinthians 12:19 MSG)

Many houses in our neighborhood have put up decorations for Halloween, and one house that’s particularly eye-catching has a pair of giant, light-up, inflatable eyeballs in the front yard. (Eye-catching! Ha!)  During this pre-Halloween (at the time of this writing) week, the idea of an enormous eye rolling through the Pittsboro traffic circle or a giant hand waddling around downtown has me chuckling…but if I encountered either of the above in reality, I’m sure it would bring on dramatic screams, just like in a real horror movie.

As we continue to discuss how we can be a Counter-Culture for the Common Good, this week we’re thinking about how Christians can find the middle ground between the extreme individualism (all ME) and collectivism (all WE) that we experience in the modern-day horror story we’re living in.

As it is, we see that God has carefully placed each part of the body right where he wanted it (v18).

We’re all valuable, and God has created and placed each of us right where he wanted us to be. What comes from a society where individuals are ostracized for being different and “canceled” for making mistakes? I’m picturing an army of hands up against an army of eyeballs, and perhaps a few ears, mouths, and noses. (Stay with me!)  The hands and the eyeballs have drawn their lines in the proverbial sand, and are unwilling to accept members who are not them…even though an ear, a mouth, or a nose would be beneficial to the group.

But I also want you to think about how this keeps your significance from getting blown up into self-importance (v19).

Our own self-importance becomes an issue when we, the enormous eye or giant hand, if you will, start bumbling our way around town, wreaking havoc with our overinflated egos. Our culture tells us to “Follow your heart,” “You do you,” and “Be true to yourself,” but what comes from a society where everyone is only thinking of themselves? 

For no matter how significant you are, it is only because of what you are a part of (v20).

We needn’t all be carbon copies of one another, but we are called to live life together. Our significance comes from the greater body we belong to and work towards: one where all parts are important (and the correct size!) and are contributing through the laying down of our own entitlements for the good of those around us. In today’s world nothing could be more counter-cultural.

Which role do you identify with in this modern day horror story? Is there a place in your life where you need to lay down your own wants for the good of someone around you? Is there a person with a different background/set of skills you could welcome to the body today?