Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Three key realities of our discipleship are belonging, usefulness, and connectedness. Each of us belongs! We belong to God. We belong to Jesus. We belong to Jesus' body, the Church. The Holy Spirit not only cleansed us when we were given new birth in Jesus' family (
John 3:5-7;
1 Corinthians 6:11), but the Spirit also gifted us (
Ephesians 4:7;
1 Peter 4:10) and connected us with everyone else in Jesus' body! We each have a place and a purpose in the Church functioning as Jesus' bodily presence in our world today. We each have something to bring to the other believers who make us Jesus' body, the Church. Each of us belongs! Each of us is needed! Each of us has an important role to play with significant things to do! Each of us is connected to each other. If one part suffers, we all suffer. If one person is blessed, we all rejoice (
1 Corinthians 12:26). So, dear friend of Jesus, rather than envying someone else's gift, or belittling someone we feel has a lesser gift, let's rejoice in each other, support each other, and do our part in helping the world see Jesus!
Help me, please, dear Father. I want to find the place you made me to fill in Jesus' body, the Church. As I discover my place to serve and use my gifts, I pledge to work in all sorts of ministries so that your Spirit, and not just my own preferences, will guide me into your place for me to serve. Thank you for giving me a place not only to belong, but also to serve and be a part of Jesus' bodily presence in the world. In Jesus' name, and for his glory, I pray. Amen.
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