I was in church one day and the pastor got to his feet and began preaching about his feet. He cited 1 Corinthians 12 where Paul compared the body of Christ to a human body. 

Paul argued that every part of the body is necessary.  He wrote, “The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you,” nor in turn can the head say to the foot, “I do not need you.” On the contrary, those members that seem to be weaker are essential” – 1 Corinthians 12: 21-22.

Pastor said, “You may be a pinky toe, but even you are important” (I wonder why he looked at me when he said that?)

A pinky toe?  Well, the only time you ever notice a pinky toe is when you stub it on a table leg.  Is it really that important? 

Well, I found an article on the internet titled, “Surprise, Your Pinky Toe Does Serve a Purpose” by Alia Hoyt

She says the foot has a tripod of balance which consists of the heel, pinky toe knuckle and big toe knuckle. To lose any one of those elements would incline us to topple and inhibit our ability to skip, run or walk.

“The purpose of the pinky toe is to provide balance and propulsion,” says podiatrist Dr. Bruce Pinker (with a name like Pinker I guess he should know). As one takes a step, the foot rolls from the outside to inside. This motion helps us “push off” to the next step.  When the pinky is harmed, the gait is affected.  If it were missing, we could stumble and fall.

So those little pinkies are very important.  Sure, a person could lose one and learn to compensate, but God’s original design requires a pinky on each foot.

And God’s design for his body, the church, includes pinkies too. But you may be thinking that you are nothing but a stinky picky. 

But wait! Paul wrote, “those members that seem to be weaker are essential, and those members we consider less honorable we clothe with greater honor (23).

So who decided who got to be the face and the ears and the pinkies.  Paul said, “God has placed each of the members in the body just as He decided.” (18)  No part is more essential than another.   Without the pinky the face might fall on his face.

Pastors consider pinkies a plus in their congregations.  Like the toe, they are the kind of people that the rest of us tend to take for granted – those that clean the church, and care for the infants; and greet visitors at the door.  All are super necessary to the work of the church. 

Like the toe in my shoe, they are the kind of people who are usually hidden.  They make visits to the homes of the sick, and prepare the after meals for the funerals, and pray daily for the church.   Oh, how we need these people.

But listen!  Sometimes we are mean to our pinkies and jam them into pointy toed shoes.  Bursitis, bunions, hammertoes and corns can result.  The throbbing pain that is produced nearly cripples us.  A reminder that pinky toes and pinky people need TLC too.

The most important thing to note, however, is summed up in verse 27, “Now you are Christ’s body, and each of you is a member of it.” 

Each one of us is an essential member of the body of Christ, placed in a local congregation with a purpose to serve.  You may have a good idea how God has equipped you.  Great – plug in at church and do what God created you to do.    

Maybe you aren’t sure where you fit.  Pick a place of ministry and get on board.  Ask God to equip you for success.  He will, and you find a pleasure in serving that will surprise you.

I pinky swear it!

A PRAYER: Lord, I truly enjoy serving you in pinky capacities.  Thank you for inviting me in.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com   

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you

Scripture references are from the NET Bible.