But as it is, God has arranged the members of the body, each one of them, as he chose. 

- 1 Corinthians 12.18

In 2000, the Buffalo Bills cut running back Antowain Smith, a former first-round draft pick, after three unremarkable seasons. The New England Patriots signed him and in 2002 he was the leading rusher in their first Super Bowl victory.

In the same game, David Patten scored the Pat's only offensive touchdown. He'd arrived in New England by way of the arena football league and four mediocre seasons with two other NFL franchises. 

Corey Dillon seemed on his way out of professional football when, after an outstanding career, his rushing numbers got smaller and his thirtieth birthday got closer. He joined New England in 2004. He put up his best stats ever that season led all backs in rushing yardage in the 2005 Super Bowl, scoring a touchdown in the 21-24 victory. 

Malcolm Butler, an undrafted rookie, snagged a key interception in the closing seconds to preserve New England's victory in Super Bowl XLIX. St. Louis cut linebacker Matt Chatham in his rookie year; he contributed to three Patriot's NFL championships. 

The guys nobody wants become the guys everybody needs when they put on a Pat's uniform. Players go from marginal to magnificent. Klutz players transform to clutch players. What gives?

Bill Pennington of the New York Times speculates that Pat's coach Bill Belichick has the ability to find places players fit. Matt Light, an offensive lineman and one of Belichick's rescues, explains: "There were always younger guys that maybe got overlooked because there was a piece of their game that hadn't been fully realized, but Bill sees the potential. Bill can wait on them, and then he can insert them into roles clearly defined." 

Hogan, the converted lacrosse player, agrees: "I think the Patriots have shown an ability to see guys for what they can ultimately be, and then they tailor the coaching to see if they can make it happen." Chatham, the reclaimed linebacker, adds, "They're not going to put you out in some sort of uncomfortable situation where athletically you wouldn't be able to do it. They may find things that you do better than anyone else that another scheme doesn't highlight." 

Paul likens the church to a body which knows exactly how to bring about the best opportunity for each member. The foot failed at tying shoes but excelled at walking in them. The ear, though blind as a bat, had twenty/twenty vision when it came to hearing. The hand went from zero to hero when it discovered which role it played in hand-eye coordination. 

Christ, the head (coach), has arranged the members of the body, each one of them, as he chose. What a joy to be a member of that team, where the all-wise Lord slots each person into the place for which he, from before eternity, crafted that individual! Maybe it's time for pastors to quit complaining that the players aren't performing and pay more attention to the placement God has chosen. Maybe it's time for church members to quit trying to walk on their hands or smell with their knee-caps and instead find the joy of relaxing into what God calls them to do.