Joy: Week 3 - Day 1
OPENING PRAYER:
God, honor our time spent in your word today. May our hearts be open and willing to hear you speak. Amen.
“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”
REFLECT:
This is one of my favorite verses tucked inside one of my favorite passages in the New Testament because it paints a beautiful picture of just how connected we all are despite our tendencies to label and box each other in. The entire passage (12:12-30) is a celebration of diversity within the body of Christ and a call for unity within that diversity. Paul speaks of how everyone brings different gifts to the table; everyone serves as a different body part within the body. Furthermore, the sentiment rings true that when one part of the body suffers, every part suffers with it. A healthy literal body is made up of healthy parts - a healthy church body is made up of equally valued and empowered individual units. If any one piece of the church is overvalued or any one piece undervalued, you'll see the symptoms. When diverse giftings come together to build the kingdom of God, the church is used in powerful ways.
APPLY:
We tend to flock together in groups where people are rather similar. Similar ideas, similar thought-processes, similar backgrounds. It's comfortable and feels nice. You're unlikely to be challenged or stretched in these types of groups. I challenge you this week to seek out time with someone who is different than you and have a discussion. Ask how they connect to God. Ask what their experiences in the church have been like. Ask how you can be praying for them in this challenging season. Mourn with them and rejoice with them. We can all benefit from hearing different perspectives; it makes us well-rounded followers of Christ and more empathetic humans.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Heavenly father, we thank you for the gift of friendship and connection. We receive glimpses of divine love in the acts of love we give and receive. Amen.
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