For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.
Romans 12:4-6a
I've been thinking about how different we all are. I was actually thinking of my own family in regards to our recent bout with sickness - and how some bounced back in a day, while others didn't.
This morning another child felt yucky again and didn't go to school. (I knew it was 'real' when my threat of, "You have to stay on the love seat all day long, can't get up and play, can't go out and play after the others get home from school, and can't watch anything on TV", didn't phase him!) He doesn't have many symptoms, but I know from experience how that "yucky" feeling feels. I sympathized with him. He's still sleeping, almost two hours later. Maybe that's what he needed.
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by[c] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14a
This illustration of my family and the differences in how we handle sickness makes me think of the church - and how we are each a part of the church. The same body, but different parts. There are stronger parts and weaker parts. There are working parts and hard working parts. There are some that do things that are seen, and others who do things quietly and unknown. All different. All unique. All needed. All useful parts in the kingdom of God.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27
No one part is more special than the other part. All are a part of the whole - the body of Christ. But just as my family has had to help each other out during our 'sickness', we, as members of the body of Christ, must help each other at times of need. Within the church, there is ALWAYS someone else in need. Maybe someone is sick. Maybe someone is struggling in some way. Maybe someone is grieving, or lonely, or worried. Maybe their faith is wavering. Something isn't right.
Our job, as sisters in Christ, is to reach out to those who need us. They're most likely not going to ask us for help. They're not going to call us and say they need something, but it's our job to LOOK for those who are needy. We must be willing to turn our focus away from ourselves and look for ways to help others. There is something we can do each and every day to help someone else. We just have to be willing to look. We probably won't have to look very far.
And, at times, maybe we will be the ones who need the help. Perhaps someone will look around and see that we are the one in need. That's what is so great about the Lord's church! He knew we needed each other so He provided us with a unique and special way to connect with each other - by making us His children. We're sisters in Christ!
Yes, we're all different. But we're all the same, too, if we are members of His body. So today, let's see what we can do to help those other body-members. Most likely someone is needing your help today.
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Galatians 6:10
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