The Church | a 4-Day Skate Church Movement Devotionalಮಾದರಿ

The body of Christ

“Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.” Romans12:4-5

One of the things I love most about skateboarding is the diversity it brings, from age, gender, and ethnicity, to styles and skill levels. When you go to the skatepark, there is so much diversity. When you look around at the park, you’ll never find two skaters that look exactly alike, skate the exact same way, or even have the same style. The reason is this: God has made each and every one of us to be completely unique.

The Church is not just the building, but actually the body of believers all coming together to form “the body of Christ.” It sounds kind of weird, but just like the skatepark isn’t skateboarding, nor is skateboarding just a board itself, skateboarding is defined as the community as a whole; the same goes for the church.

If you look at your skateboard, you’ll find somewhere around 50 individual pieces that all come together to make a “complete.” But a skateboard wouldn’t be complete if it was lacking the deck, grip tape, bearings, wheels, bolts, trucks, or even the smallest part of your board, like the kingpin or pivot cup. Each individual piece is so important to the function of a skateboard. Ephesians 4:16 tells us that “Christ made the whole body to fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”

In the body of Christ, no one is exactly the same! It may be easy to fall into comparison; however, wishing what you have to bring to the table was as important as someone else’s gift. But 1 Corinthians 12:21-22 gives us so much encouragement: “The eye can never say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you.’ The head can’t say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you.’ In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary.” Think back to the illustration of the skateboard. The deck can’t say to the hardware, “I don’t need you!” Otherwise, the trucks couldn’t be attached to the deck! Same with the grip tape. Without it, your deck would be useless while learning flip tricks or while trying to ollie onto a tall rail or hubba. We all have a part to play. Even if your contribution seems little, I assure you, it is vital!

If you have put your faith in Christ and surrendered your life to Him, you are a part of the body of Christ, and He has given you unique gifts, talents, and abilities that He calls us to use to serve one another. Can you imagine trying to skate with only seven bearings? Good luck! Just like with a skateboard, your role within the body of Christ is so important. We don’t all look alike or have the same function, but the challenge and prayer for you today is to not be the one bearing that is missing in the complete.

Pushing further

1. Do you feel like you’re a part of the Body of Christ?
2. What do you think the body of Christ has to benefit from having you in it?
3. How can you serve the rest of the body in a way that supports it?