Definitions of being sidelined are: “cause (a player) to be unable to play in a team or game” and “remove from the centre of activity or attention; place in a less influential position.” (reference: Oxford Languages)

We are called to work together as one body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12:12 it says, “The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.” (NLT) But what happens when one of those body parts gets “injured”?

On the sports field when a player is sidelined, there usually is a replacement for that player who can take over so that the team can continue to play, but when a member of the body of Christ isn’t able to function, it is like a body with an injury. According to Romans 12:4 each one of us, as part of the body of Christ, has a special function.

While there are many “injuries” that can cause a person not to function properly, one tactic used by the enemy to disable us is by letting us feel rejected or unworthy. For years that was me. I felt rejected by many: my mother, my friends, my fellow workers and congregation members. I felt out of place, not good enough and not worthy of fellowship. These things made me keep to myself, it isolated me from those around me and inhibited me from fully functioning in my God-given talents and gifts.

It took coming to another country to help me to get over the hurdle of rejection. It forced me to get to the core of the matter or else I wouldn’t be able to function properly as a housewife, mother and piano tutor. The Lord is so good, He doesn’t want us to live life half way, because He came so that we can have life in abundance.

While I still struggle with those feelings, I now know it is just feelings, it is not the truth. Reminding myself of who I am in Christ daily helps me to let go of those feelings and instead lift my eyes to Jesus and know that He has a purpose for my life and that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. And when people truly reject me, I don’t dwell on it, because just maybe that was the Lord directing my path in another direction.

Whatever your “injury” may be, Jesus has come to set the captives free, and it is written: “…wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Cor 3:17 NLT)

Today, spend time in the Word and ask the Holy Spirit to show you if you have any “injuries” that are keeping you from properly functioning in the body of Christ. We weren’t made to be on the sideline, so let’s sort out the things that has sidelined us.

May you be inspired and blessed.

Catherina