We live our lives, interacting with one another and the world around us. But we take for granted that without structure nothing would function. For instance, consider travel, be it road, train or air… without structured rules there would be chaos. Or consider agriculture, with ploughing, sowing and harvest all structured to a timetable, to ensure crops grow. Everything is structured, the earth, the solar system… we depend on structure.

The human body is also an example of structure… the Bible states that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” Psalm 139:14. Every part is vital and has an individual role to play in the healthy and normal functioning of our bodies.

The body of Christ is made up of every believer and each having an individual function. This is so important because we all have a unique role. We don’t have to be someone else; we can just be what the Lord Jesus wants us to be. So, there is no need to be jealous or wanting to be better than someone else.

Engineering design is of course very important. Bridge engineers have to calculate a design which will give strength. Architects have to consider more than appearances… there must be functionality in their designs and safety.

Considering the church i.e. the body of Christ…. design is also an integral part. The Word of God tells us that we are baptised into one body by one Spirit. The Spirit of God affects God’s design, placing you and me in the body of Christ.

We are all individual parts in this exciting structure. The wonderful thing is to be discovering and learning our role in this body under an umbrella of love.

Ref. 1Cor. 12:12-13, 13:4-7. NIV.