"so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." 1 Corinthians 12:25-27 NIV
Getting up in the dark of night and slightly disoriented, my toe came into contact with a chair. While it was my toe that took the impact, the synaptic nerves sent the message to my brain, jarring me fully awake, my eyes to water, and my mouth to tell ouch. From one end of the body to the other, I became aware of how marvelously God makes us.
We all are the body of Christ. That's nothing new; we know it is true. At each service, we come together to share the joys and concerns of the body. When something good happens, we rejoice and celebrate, observing birthdays, anniversaries, and special events. When there is hurt in the body, we hold each other up in prayers of healing. We pray for the world and those who do not yet know Christ that they may become part of the body. We pray for wellness and awareness of the body of Christ’s Holy Church. We hold up in prayer all its members regardless of space, time, race, gender, sexual orientation, or anything else the world uses to divide the body. Where there is hurt anywhere in Christ’s body, there is hurt throughout -- that stubbed toe, wherever it may be, brings awareness to all of Christ’s body.
Awesome God of all creation, we give you our thanks and praise for our bodies so marvelously made. We give you thanks for your Universal Church and all its members as we rejoice and suffer together. Please help us remember our need for each other and to hold each other in love and prayer. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
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