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But God has so compose the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 1 Corinthians 12: 24 – 27 (ESV).
When I was at seminary, the students (and wives) would volunteer time to help out the seminary community. It would range from stocking shelves at the campus food bank to helping students move in and out of their homes in the Fort Wayne area. One friend, a big guy who had played football at Colgate University, used to say his spiritual gift was heavy lifting. Because every time someone was moving they would come looking for him to help move the big furniture.
We’re a body of believers. God has gathered us together for His purpose. And, Paul reminds us with his letter to the Corinthians that we’re to care for; to laugh with; to cry with; to serve each other in our community. Belief in Christ isn’t a placid event that happens for an hour on Sunday. Faith is a living breathing activity of a community. In a way if you pause and consider, faithful service is a type of breath for the body of believers. Faith is a living breathing organism.
If you study the Scriptures you’ll realize that Jesus tells us to be active. He instructs us to do and go in our faith filled life. And each one of us has a gift that we can use to help the community go and do. When I was growing up the candles used for worship in my home church were wax and high behind the altar. So because of the height it would be difficult for acolytes to light and put out the candles (especially if you were a bit height challenged). Many times the wicks would get mashed down. When those wicks would get mashed down it was difficult to get them lit. There was a gentleman in our church community because of health was limited in what he could do. But, he made it a point each week to trim the wicks so that the acolytes wouldn’t have to struggle with lighting them at worship services.
Our community, our church and school, needs help in all sorts of areas. And I’m asking that you prayerfully consider seeking what you can do to support our faith community. Without you it’s like the old proverb:
For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.
Even though we may not speak like angels nor preach like Paul we can still serve like Aaron holding up Moses’ hands.
Pastor Jerry
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