1 Corinthians 12:25-26
The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and the parts we don’t, the parts we see and the parts we don’t. If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
A couple of times in the past week, our cat Mabel had a problem with one of her front paws. We don’t know what was wrong. Greg examined her and pressed on the foot, but he found no cuts, swelling, or abrasions. He had to press really hard to find the truly sore spot… still, Mabel limped terribly sometimes. Then she would go a day or two and be just fine. It’s a mystery to us, and we are watching her closely.
When Mabel limped through the house, she didn’t appear to be in any real pain, but we were pained just to observe her in this condition. Even when our pets hurt, we hurt for them. When they feel poorly, we are not 100% up to snuff. It’s the same when either one of us isn’t well or has something that is bothersome…the other feels it, too. When a spouse, a child or another family member is ill or upset, these things generally affect everyone in the family.
What about our “church family”…or our friends, co-workers, and distant relatives…are we as tenderhearted toward people who are outside our “inner circle”? Do we grieve and mourn with others who suffer loss? Are we genuinely concerned about those who are sick or in need? Do we celebrate victories and happy occasions other than our own? Are we truly engaged in the work of sharing compassion, as Jesus modeled, or are we more interested in what is in it for us personally?
The life of a Christian is a delicate balance…and yes, this often requires a little effort on our part. We have to prioritize…but we also have to be flexible. We must make time for ourselves and our desires…but we must not get so caught up in our own little world that we neglect to notice the needs of someone else until the cat comes limping across the floor!
Where are you in this picture? Are you holding up your end of the bargain as a Christian disciple? Are you involved in the hurts – and the healings – of the other “parts” of Christ’s body? Is your life in balance, with plenty of time for yourself AND for others? Do you need to spend some time in prayer and consideration of this delicate harmony and God’s design for your role in it? Wouldn’t today be the perfect time to begin?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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