One Body, Many Parts

Sophie Hull is a sub-editor at Boston Hannah International and one of our Sector Connectors for Journalism

The UPLOAD//STanding Together MediaNet conference in February was fantastic, inspiring, and I’ll admit, a little intimidating. We had many world-saving, culture changing types. I loved it but it really made me think. I just want to write about fun things like food and art, so am I wasting my skills or just an air-head? I consider my day a success if I get through it without spilling wine on a vintage rug at a press event or putting salt in my coffee instead of sugar (yes, I do variations of those things often).

What I do, and more importantly, what I enjoy doing, seems rather insignificant and even irrelevant compared to many of my MediaNet friends. But I am not about to chuck in my (pink) towel as I believe we need Christians in every area of the media.

Contrary to common belief, it is not impossible to be a Christian and to work in a magazine environment. I would even say a Christian perspective is somewhat of an asset in the industry. Yes, I sometimes have to write about ridiculously expensive items, like a pair of diamond and gold stilettos worth £100,000. I then personally have to save up to buy £20 shoes from H&M (I’m not really complaining though as I rather like my shoes, even if they don’t come with their own bodyguard and a lifetime guarantee.) My point is, I can enjoy both writing about and wearing shoes while knowing there are much more important things in life.

In any case, aside from motivation and grace, my job does come down to skills. God did not, I’m afraid, give me skills of political analysis or theological insight. He gave me the ability to explain the magic of a Vermeer exhibition to the art innocent, to make the most of Google like I was born spouting keywords and amuse my colleagues with fleeting flashes of brilliance (well, okay, ditziness).

I love that God loves our diversity, our uniqueness- he knows every hair on every head and formed us on purpose:

For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus,

so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Ephesians 2:10 NLT

Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body.

We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

Romans 12: 4-5

Even if I could cut it as a BBC news presenter, I don’t think the international service would appreciate me turning their commentary into slapstick comedy, even unintentionally. Some things just aren’t meant to be and I say, thank God.