We are a group of oddballs in the church. There is no way of getting around it. People are added to the body from different cultures, age groups, socioeconomic situations, and education levels. We aren’t recruited because we are the best or the brightest. We are seldom the strongest or most powerful.

“Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him” (1 Corinthians 1:26–29, NIV).

Although we are a group of seeming misfits, we are called to love one another and cooperate together. “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited” (Romans 12:10–16, NIV).

I have been saddened recently at how difficult it seems for us to love one another in the Church. It seems to me that church goers are often surprised that other members are “different.” We are caught off guard when we discover that other believers are not wise, not influential, and not noble. We are embarrassed by their weakness and sometimes by their lowliness. We find ourselves frustrated when working with such people.

How odd! We should never be amazed or surprised at who God places in the body. He has made it clear that he will call the ones we least expect to be called. He uses the lowly and weak and despised so His greatness and power can shine. Since that is who He chooses to add to the body, we should expect to be working with the lowly, weak and despised. No surprises there.

I think we also need to remember that we are included in the lowly, weak and despised list. We all have been brought by the grace of God from death to life. “Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called” (1 Cor 1:26). A good dose of humble will go a long way in helping us to love one another with devotion.