“For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you,” 1 Corinthians 12:14-31.

Over the last few months Carol and I have been working on a larger intricate puzzle. And now it’s finally beginning to take shape and the overall design is being seen in its beauty and form.

But for several weeks, we kept looking for a few pieces that were needed, because the design was not coming together. One corner didn’t seem to fit correctly and we couldn’t proceed any further until this was fixed.

Upon looking at the overall shape further, we noticed that some of the sides were somewhat warped and not aligned correctly. But after this was fixed, then the outer sides came together perfectly and we could then move forward.

As always, there are certain pieces that at first seem to fit almost perfectly into another piece, but somehow the edges don’t quite align, even though the design seems to be right.

One looks far and wide throughout the pile and in frustration, finally moves onto another area.

A section of great beauty was taking place towards the top area of the puzzle. Golden spires with birds were circling around ships that floated in the air, while jungle birds and animals quietly rested along the edge.

Where once the edges were misaligned, now other pieces could fit together and form this golden section. Somehow this part of the puzzle that had taken so long to come together now was forming a thing of beauty and light of great unity.

I began thinking of how this puzzle is actually a parallel to us spiritually, and specifically how those in the prophetic ministries react and interplay with others.

There are different levels of ministries in the body of Christ and areas and boundaries are important in knowing where we belong and how we must then fit together with others of a like mind.

And actually, this analogy applies to any member in the body of Christ in how their individual puzzle piece fits into the overall design.

Other areas were still in process as a few pieces of darker blue and turquoise awaited others to come and complete the design to their area. But the golden pieces couldn’t be used here, as their coloring and hue wouldn’t be appropriate here.

Only those members that had the innate purpose for this area would fit.

You see, we are not to go beyond those parameters where we are called to be. Some are called to be a prophetic voice to the nation, or to the world at large, while others are confined to their local church.

Other members are called to teach and their piece is only used to fit in around the edges of the overall design.

Remain in the area where you are called to be and don’t attempt to fit in somewhere else. The edges of your piece may seem at first to allow you to be there, but in time you will mess up the design that God is wanting to do there.

Finally, we know that we prophesy in part and we know in part.

A particular area or even an individual piece of seemingly great beauty and form may at first appear to be complete, but it can only be seen in its completeness until others of a like mind come alongside it to expand its value.

Some seem to think that a particular word of prophecy, a dream, or an apostolic teaching, represents the epitome of what God is saying in this hour. But what many fail to see is that as important or even as profound as some of this is, it is only a part of the overall design.

 

Selah,
~ Stephen Hanson

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Stephen Hanson of In His Truth Ministries came to the LORD is a special way in 1975 and has prophesied regularly since. In these end-time birthing pangs we are reminded that judgment must first begin with the household of God. Will we be prepared and ready?

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