The Pinky Problem

I have a pinky problem. I inherited it from my great grandfather. The pinky toe on my right foot has a shortened tendon that causes it to stick up above the other toes when I raise my foot.

Now, my little pinky problem has not quite had the negative impact on my life that it did on his. Family lore has it that his little toe stuck up so much and was so painful that he was forced to cut a hole in his right leather boot so it could protrude unencumbered. I’m sure it made for quite the conversation piece. Thankfully mine just causes a slight bulge on the right side of my tennis shoes.

For most of my life I’ve managed to largely ignore this little nuisance, except for some temporary discomfort experienced when I’m breaking in a new pair of shoes. However, as I’ve grown older, the absence of a properly functioning pinky has become more noticeable and more of a problem.

I have developed a propensity for pulling to the right when I walk—so much so that my wife often has to remind me, if I’m not paying attention, to correct my gait so I don’t wander into the middle of the road, or to keep me from crowding her space if she’s walking at my right side.

I did a little research on this little pinky problem of mine. It turns out the pinky toe, though usually hidden from view and not among our most admired body parts—I mean, I’ve never heard anyone exclaim, “Wow, that person has really nice pinkies,” have you?—this seemingly insignificant appendage punches well above its weight.

According to podiatrist Dr. Bruce Pinker (yes, that really is his name), the purpose of the pinky toe is to provide balance and propulsion. “As one takes a step, the foot rolls from lateral to medial in normal foot biomechanics.” The pinky toe acts in concert with the other toes as a type of tripod, helping to maintain balance and a straight gait.

Pretty important little appendage, this pinky toe, wouldn’t you agree?

Well, as it turns out, pinky toes are arguably pretty important in the body of Christ as well.

In 1 Corinthians 12 the apostle Paul writes, “God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. - 1 Corinthians 12:18-26

It goes without saying that our God doesn’t make mistakes. He placed every member in the body where He wants them where they can make a contribution. That contribution may be obvious to others, but for many, it might remain largely unseen, maybe even hidden under a shoe.

At my workplace, I lead a technical platform support team. Now, I think my team performs one of the most important roles in the company, and I tell them so often. But the truth is, if they are doing their job well, they don’t get a lot of attention. They don’t receive a great deal of praise or recognition. If they did, that wouldn’t necessarily be a good thing—it would mean something is likely not working as it should. So they just go about doing their thing, day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year, operating in the shadows of the organization. I guess you could say they are faithful.

I occasionally hear brethren in the faith express discouragement because they feel they don’t have any gifts, that they don’t make a worthwhile contribution. But that flies in the face of what God, through Paul, clearly tells us.

Everyone has a purpose, even if it doesn't seem obvious to you.

Paul writes here in 1 Corinthians that God bestows greater honor on members we might think are less honorable. Why? So that there would be no schism, no division, in the body. Now, you may not be an eye, or a nose, or a mouth, but without that pinky toe to keep the body in balance, those “greater members” could potentially go wandering into the street, or worse, trip and crash into the pavement. God honors the role you play in His body, whatever form it takes.

Perhaps that role is that of an encourager. Maybe it is in the offering of effectual, fervent prayer for others. Or perhaps it’s the example you set of simply showing up faithfully week after week, month after month, year after year. 

Whatever that thing is, don’t undersell it. God has set you in the body where it has pleased Him. 

Your faithfulness makes a difference. It matters. You matter. Even if you are only a pinky toe.

Blessings, Tony Stith