I was ignored and so I never developed

1 Corinthians 12:22 (NLT) In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary.

When I grew up I was very shy and the youngest in my school year so a little smaller than most of the boys. I was also very keen on the very English sport of cricket (the English equivalent of baseball). I joined a local cricket club close to where I lived and also played for my school team. I had all the equipment and went to all the practices and spent time on my own practicing various aspects of the game. I even played when it wasn’t the season if I could. Sadly because I was so shy I didn’t dare ask the captain or coach of the teams I played for if I could have a good opportunity to bat or bowl. But even if I had, would I have been given the opportunity? I was not the best player, there were other players more naturally gifted and bigger than I was. But I always fielded with great enthusiasm and hard work and was one of the best fielders. But though I played for years on two good teams that were very successful I did not have a single significant opportunity to bat or bowl. Often we would run out of time before I had a chance to bat and I was never chosen to bowl. The focus of the teams were on the best players. It wasn’t until I played as an adult that I got an opportunity and did reasonably well, particularly in bowling. As a child no one noticed me, cared about me or gave me an opportunity as far as cricket is concerned. Though I was passionate I never developed. This is what often happens in churches, people have much to give but are ignored, blocked, perceived as a threat or their gifts and talents have no outlet in the way we do church. In the interest of a team winning perhaps it wouldn’t be right to allow less able players the same opportunity as better players, but in churches why is it only the privileged few who get to do the best jobs? 

Father may we encourage the weak and timid and help those lacking confidence to blossom.