Drone Bees
Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 21-27
God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that . . . its parts should have equal concern for each other.
During high school I was invited to a party. This had never happened to me before, so it made me feel kind of special. At the party, however, the host privately explained that “they” thought there should be a party for people who were not usually invited. Feeling pitied, I soon left. Being “special” in that way made me feel that I was not genuinely valued.
In our reading for today, some parts of the human body are described as “weaker,” “less honorable,” or “unpresentable.” But in the body of believers in Christ, we need to take care not to view or treat anyone in a way like that.
Drone bees, aside from the fact that some of them mate with the queen bee (and then die), have not been observed doing any work in the hive. They have been described as just hanging around and eating honey (made and stored by the worker bees). Drones also look different and have no stinger. In autumn they suffer the final indignity of being kicked out of the hive so that the honey for the queen and the worker bees will last during the winter.
In the body of Christ, however, no one is a drone. All parts are needed and indispensable, worthy of special concern and honor, not condescension. We are all partners in Christ, and we strive to develop each other’s gifts as the Lord has given them. How are you serving together with all the other parts of Christ body?
Lord Jesus, thank you for making me a part of your body. May we all honor and care equally for all the parts of your body as we serve you. Amen.
About the author — Don Byker
Don Byker has been a pastor since 1984 in various churches and institutional settings. Don and his wife, Donna, are the parents of four adult children, two of whom are married. Donna and Don are also the glad grandparents of three granddaughters. Currently Don is serving in a rural church in Michigan full of gardeners.
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