The Vicar's Monthly Jottings

For July 2008, Rev Nick Grew writes:

Some months ago Christine went on a Physio conference and one presentation was about working with people in sport. A particular case was that of a javelin-thrower whose performances fell short (!) of expectations. Careful analysis of his throwing action revealed a problem with the joints of the big toe of his leading foot. The toe-joint was stiff and so at the very point of delivery he lacked the freedom roll over his foot and give full power. Thus the treatment focused upon making his big toe joints more supple, and the outcome was that he did throw the javelin further!

St Paul would have understood that story [1Corinthians 12]. The big toe couldn't be further from the hand as it released the javelin but it had a direct effect upon the performance of the whole body. The hand couldn't say that the big toe didn't matter nor should the big toe say that it had no significance.

As we spend time to be challenged practically by Jesus' command, "Love one another" [John 13:34-35], our interdependence is clear. Our love is meant to mark us out as disciples of Jesus and as the body of Christ we are empowered to carry on his mission. If every one of us - whether hands, eyes, legs, or even big-toes - focused as best we can upon becoming what Jesus made us to be, and did that while keeping "the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace" [Ephesians 4:3], then surely Jesus would be more clearly visible here and his kingdom would be advancing in word and power.


Nick Grew

Return to top of this page