Monday reflections...the body of Christ...sermon post

Living this more mobile lifestyle has forced us to make friendships more quickly.  There is a planned limited amount of time at each local church and much to accomplish for the benefit of the future ministry of that local church.  The local church is made up of God's children and each one is precious to Him and therefore also to us.  

Like the beautiful mother and grandmother pictured above with Stephanie.  Her name is Marcia.  She is a widow now but a praying woman for her church and especially the missionaries supported by the church.  One of them is her very daughter.  Marcia travels up a couple streets to be at the church for most of the services.  She is a smile that you see when you come through the door.  Her story of life and salvation is heavily weighted by her words about her Savior, Jesus Christ.  

We have met "Marcia" before.  She has different names in different churches, but God plants a "Marcia" for the benefit of His body.  In another church, I remember "Marcia" was "Margaret."  God, in His infinite wisdom, designates someone like "Marcia" to train His children in a local church to have a tenderness and sweetness that we sometimes don't display.  God gives us a "Marcia" who consistently shows us how we need to approach each other.  She leads with love and therefore so should we even as we broach some tough truth conversations.  May there not be a doubt of our love for our brothers and sisters in Christ because it is evidently shown like Marcia to her church family.  

Here is another picture of some of God's assembled children.  With enough time in their presence, I can start to see the spiritual gifts that God has given each one for the benefit of the body of Christ here.  Just like Marcia, each one in the picture is precious to God and to His local family here.  

One has the gift of service that is most naturally expressed behind the scenes, quietly.  Another has the gift of service that is best utilized in the midst of the group that has gathered to perform a task.  

One has the gift of leadership utilized by being out front and willing to take that first step while another has the gift of leadership that is best utilized by "board room" discussions that lead to steps forward.

We have two teachers in the picture but so very different from one another.  They both teach out of a motivation of encouragement for their students but one is best utilized by being more assertive while the other is tenderly quiet in approach.  Both have such an appreciation for the other as they share this gift that God has given them to use within this local church.

I think a couple have the gift of mercy.  Their hearts go out to people at a different level than I have.  They see things that I don't see.  Sometimes they might not be the one to say something in the matter but they can help us who are more driven to be aware or to respond in a manner that would bring greater growth or healing.  They help us, who may be described at times as the "bull in the china shop," to negotiate the "bone-wear" that God has put around us to love.  Their "quiet" loyalty teaches volumes to the body of Christ.

I hope you see by this little exercise that each of God's children is precious to Him and therefore also precious to us.  Each one is equipped by Him for the greater good of His bride, the church.  May we look at those in the pew to our left and right, even for us as "missionaries" of a sort for shorter amount of time with this body of believers, as truly brothers and sisters of God's family.  God is assembling His family and we have this great opportunity to see how each member will be equipped and used by Him.

Sometimes the hardest thing to do in a church is making space at the table for everyone.  We get comfortable with who is here but then another seat is needed or maybe another table needs to be added to the end.  It might be easier for them to just sit "over there" at their own table but God brought them to your table for your benefit as a part of His family.  We should be ever thankful that we are continually making space for more of His children.

Adam