When did you last sit and think about how your human body works? If you are still young, you have likely spent little to no time at on the topic.
As a youth in your prime, there is generally a lot to admire in one’s body. You may even invest time and energy in keeping it fit.
For those of us on the older end of a body’s lifespan, we spend far more time trying to keep our bodies working. Too often, it is beyond our capacity to keep up. That’s when we begin to come to grips with reality. “I’m not 20 years old anymore.”
The Bible talks about the body of Christ being a diverse group of individuals who work together. Every person has diverse gifts, skills and talents to offer. Actually, every person is needed, all talents are required to make the body work.
God made every person, and God does not make mistakes. We need each other. Imagine a part of your body that requires help to get better. A splinter in your foot for example. A good pair of eyes, and couple hands, and a pair of tweezers, and voila!
Our spiritual needs are not always that easy, but the principle remains the same. We need community. Every member of the spiritual body has its function to help the larger body work well.
It is in the community of a spiritual body that we learn spiritual truths as part of “body of believers.” 1 Corinthinas 12
Let’s set aside some time to contemplate how to honor every member of the body. As we do that, then we can learn how to carry our responsibilities of being loving members of a spiritual body of believers. Grace, truth, and time work together to bring wholeness to community.
Andrea-
My sister in Jesus-your writing is such a profound blessing and admonition to me! I am so thankful that you are in my life!
Thank you and full blessings to you. May Abba continue to speak to you through his word!
Andrea
Thanks, Andrea. This is a season for me to reconsider my place as an older believer in the New Testament church. It has been a discouraging time and I have considered giving up on having any place of service in the local fellowship. Even mission opportunities seem to be going away; perhaps I am considered too old?
Don’t give up! As we age, it is sometimes helpful to seek out the places we are appreciated. Consider your gifting and look where they are needed. It may be in a different church, or it be outside the four walls of a church. But what better way to serve than taking our gifts out of those walls, coming back in to receive? A wonderful way to bring the aroma of Christ to the world. I have no doubt you have more to offer than know. Abba sees you and knows.
Blessings,
Andrea