X's and O's, not the hugging and kissing kind... but those of the sports world. As I read today I was reminded of the timeout scene on the sidelines of the basketball game. The coach frantically devises a play, positioning each player to execute their role. Each member of the team before the play is run must be told where they are to stand and what they are to do. If they don't execute the screen correctly the line of protection is broken and the opposing team has access to the player with the ball.
Typically the screens are set up to defend the focal point... the ball. So it is here in Numbers. God has Moses count all the able bodies and then assigns them all "positions." They were centered around the focal point... the tent of meetings. Each tribe had their position around the center. It was in this position they were to camp and to move.
It seems to me this positioning did several things. It gave each tribe their own place. They had their assigned spots, they did not have to "fight" for positioning, God knew just where He wanted them to serve Him. Second, it created an exhaustive ring of protection for the Levites and the tabernacle. God left no holes susceptible to outside attack. And third it placed value upon each and every tribe. The whole of Israel was only as strong as its weakest side.
Our senior pastor preached yesterday on spiritual gifts and I see a lot of similarity here. When we are placed in the body of Christ, we are positioned exactly where God wants us. We are not to compete for another position; we are not to be envious of another's role. God made us and knows how we can best serve Him. Second, the body only functions properly when each part carries it own weight and acts to the edification of the body. We are not susceptible to outside attack as easily when we are all in position fulfilling our roles... some teaching, others serving, others encouraging, others giving abundantly, others... The body is kept healthy as a living organism, the body of Christ, when all parts work together. "[W]e are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love" (Ephesians 4:15b-16). And finally, when we are perfectly placed in the body by Christ, in so doing, He ascribes value and worth to every member. Christ placed each of us in our local church and the Church at large in a unique position only we are to fill. We must never rely on anyone else to do that which God has asked of us. We are all vital parts of the body positioned to fulfil kingdom work.
Do you know where God has placed you? If you are in Christ, the question is not when will God place you, but where has He already placed you to best serve Him. If you are unaware or refusing to be used you only cripple the body and the very ministry of Christ. If you've never thought about it... read through Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 and ask God to show you the specific X's and O's of your ministry. Consult a pastor and friends to help you as you seek to serve God exactly as He has prepared you. There is no greater joy than serving Him right where He wants you to be... for it will be the only place you really want to be also.
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