I don’t know all of the scientific terms of what I am about to share, but I am experiencing the phenomena. It is neglect. Since my brain does not acknowledge some of the muscles in my leg, it ignores them, similarly in principle to a lazy eye. Since this has been going on for several months, I am finding my muscles are incredibly tight and starting to draw up because the opposite muscles are not doing their part. My leg is very cold – again because the muscles are not constricting and moving the blod through as they should.
I think about the parallels to the church, the body of Christ. What happens when people do not do their part? Or, when those parts are ignored? How long before the neglected parts lose the ability to do their part? How long before the pathways are diminished beyond repair? And does the body become cold from the failure of the muscles to contract and properly move the blood through?
I think about the situation where we are now. If the shepherd is not allowed to lead and contribute with his unique thinking and leadership skill set, how long before the neglect becomes atrophy? Once the part has been neglected long enough, will the pathways be able to be re-established or will they slowly die off due to lack of blood supply?