The Bum Thumb

Recently, I injured my thumb to such an extent that it was rendered essentially useless for over a week. (Don't worry; the injury is in no way permanent, though the scar may prove quite lasting, and besides the initial injury I have felt no pain.)

Honestly, you never realize how much you use your thumbs until one of them is incapacitated. Showers took twice as long, washing dishes became a chore, even fastening buttons became a complicated maneuver--and my handwriting suffered probably more than I did.

So, I now have a much better understanding of the passage in 1 Corinthians 12, where Paul explains how the church is like a body--the very body of Christ, in fact. In order for a body to function most effectively, each part should be in tip-top shape. If one part is rendered useless, the other functions of the body also suffer, having to do jobs for which they are not designed in order to pick up that part's slack. I can function without using that thumb--but everything takes longer and, in the case of my handwriting, doesn't turn out quite like it should.

Please don't be the bum thumb in your body, wherever you are. Take steps to discover your area of usefulness--and then use it! Bum thumbs are no fun.