Daily Devotion, October 26, 2022

 

Devotion:

The Apostle Paul uses the analogy of the human body to emphasize that we are the body of Christ, connected to each other. This is one of Paul’s most powerful images to explain both the diversity and the unity of the church. This is an analogy he also utilizes in First Corinthians, Ephesians and Colossians, each with a little bit different perspective.

It’s wonderful to hear along the faith journey the stories of Christians discovering their gifts! What a joy it is to hear reports from mission trips where all ages often discover their gifts in service! It’s great to hear someone say, “I didn’t think I had any skills in construction, but before I knew it, I was helping with repairs!” Or, we might hear someone say, “I didn’t think that I had any skills in teaching or leading; or preparing meals or washing dishes; or working in the garden; or encouraging and listening; or finances and accounting; or multi-media; or working with children and youth, or music, or making quilts or praying but I did!!!” ....And the list can go on!

There are so many more ways that God equips and gives gifts and graces to serve, and to truly be the Body of Christ to bring healing and hope in this world!

Just like there are healthy ways to take care of our bodies. There are also healthy ways to take care of the Body of Christ. As a people group, we need to remain faithful with the ways of receiving Christ’s grace through acts of devotion and acts of worship. And we need to remain faithful in the ways of giving Christ’s grace to the world through acts of compassion and acts of justice.

As the Body of Christ, the analogy of a team or a finely tuned orchestra may fit. Enabled by the Holy Spirit, we are connected and interdependent on each other. We shouldn’t think more highly of ourselves or our gifts. And neither should we think our gift is not good enough, needed or important enough. Each and every person and their gifts are needed and important for the Body of Christ to function healthily to bring Christ’s grace of healing for the world.

Personal Worship Option:

Through the years in The Body of Christ, whose gift opened your eyes to ways you can serve? Give God thanks today. Amen.