Paul writes in Romans 12 of how we are all part of one body, no one part more important than the other, and in 1 Corinthians 12 of how we are one body made up of different parts all reliant on each other. Eyes and ears, arms and legs.
I was challenged recently to write something “medical” so here is my series on some of the lesser known body parts!
You might be able to guess which is the largest muscle in the human body – gluteus maximus (your buttock muscles), this muscle works to extend the hip backwards and to help keep us upright. I have to confess when I was at medical school when asked in my anatomy viva what the function of this muscle was, I was completely flummoxed!
Can you guess what the smallest muscle in the body is? Answer – the stapedius muscle. This tiny muscle which is only 1-2mm long is found in the middle ear and works to move the stapes or stirrup bone which dampens excessively loud noises and vibrations, thus protecting the inner ear where the nerve that processes sound is situated.
All muscles are stimulated by nerves, and a tiny branch of the facial nerve which supplies the muscles of the face (anyone who has had Bell’s palsy will know about the facial nerve) is responsible for stimulating the stapedius muscle. When the nerve supply to this muscle is interrupted, as in some people with Bell’s palsy, noises seem excessively loud (hyperacusis).
In our churches there are people without whom we fear the whole organisation will fall, the ones keeping everything “upright” and running smoothly. However, there are also those people who we might not notice working quietly behind the scenes, playing a seemingly tiny part in the life of the church, but whose role we become acutely aware of when they are absent.
Prayer: Thank you God that you gave each one of us different skills. Help us to see how we can each play a pivotal role in the smooth running of your body, your church. Help us to not take the “little muscles” for granted, and help us to see how we are all dependent on each other. Amen