It’s a very important job.” Serious and maternal, my 9-year-old sought to convince her younger brother to help her with a small chore. Trying to carry eight individual rolls of toilet paper from the kitchen to the bathroom, she wanted Micah to walk behind her to make sure none of them fell. Usually kindhearted and generous, he had some difficulty grasping the importance of her request, but eventually tagged along. Humorous as it was, their interaction made me think of the body of Christ.
Created to live with purpose, we want to know we have something to give. We were also created with the desire for belonging. While God intended to meet these desires with Himself, we often look to the tangible to find fulfillment, even in the body of Christ.
If we believe our importance in the body of Christ comes from whatever position we hold in the church, that distorts our purpose—and that of the church. But God established the church to be a representation of His glory, not our own. When we base our sense of purpose on what those in leadership ask us to do, we set ourselves up for disappointment and open the door for offenses.
To function well as the body of Christ, each of us must:
• Recognize that God, not man, is the One who positions us for ministry (Ephesians 4:7,11).
• Submit to the God-ordained process of being equipped for ministry and be willing to train under those whom God has put in place (Ephesians 4:12).
• Grow to be more and more like Jesus (v.15).
• Know your part and help others grow spiritually (v.16).
The church exists to show the goodness and glory of God (1 Peter 2:9). Do we as His body reveal Him?
More:
Christ is also the head of the church, which is His body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So He is first in everything (Colossians 1:18).
Next:
How have you been looking to others to validate your value in the body of Christ? What offense toward another Christian should you address?
bethanyF on February 20, 2010 at 7:28 am
This was a blessing because I was just pondering earlier what I could do that could help my church. What time and effort could I donate to help out. I will be reading this again today. Thanks.
regina franklin on February 20, 2010 at 11:37 am
Dear Bethany,
This might sound strange, but last night I was praying and the Lord brought your name to mind and I just wanted to let you know I’m praying for you. I have enjoyed reading your comments on the various posts and have prayed for you when I’ve seen them. I’m thankful this devotional touched you. May the Lord show you how important you are to Him and may His freedom be made manifest in your life and in the lives of those He brings across your path.
Blessings,
Regina
fieldlily on February 20, 2010 at 9:26 pm
Thank you for this reminder that we are here to live for and show the Lord to the world. We all enjoy helping out at our churches and being asked to help. Sometimes though, when we aren’t asked to help, we can be offended because we think we aren’t good enough or that we are being left out, but in reality we are the ones who begin thinking that we are all important and should be considered above all others. We need to remember that we are here to serve, not look good to others. Also, maybe someone else needs to be of service and to push ourselves forward may be stealing a blessing meant for someone else.
I have to remind myself that it is not all about me, that it is all about the Lord. He has opportunities for all of us to serve and blessing to bestow on all of us as well. I just need to keep all this in perspective so that the Lord is first in my thoughts and His will the motive behind all I attempt to accomplish.
Serving is great and necessary, we just need think about what our motives are in serving and who we are serving. Is for the Lord and to bring attention to Him or ourselves.
Thanks again.