God desires for His body (the body of Christ) to operate in whole, not in part. This thought has been so pressing in my heart.
For my whole church life, which by now is almost all of my 46 years, I’ve only seen it working in part.
In our human nature, I suppose, or maybe western culture, I don’t know…it’s hard for people to embrace the significance of the “smaller” parts. We struggle to truly honor the parts we see as lesser, when they are normally the ones doing the most and making the most sacrifices. It’s a shame.
I wonder what a church of true honor would look like.
If the Lord didn’t think every part was important, then He wouldn’t have made them. He doesn’t do things frivolously. Everything He does carries the breadth and depth of significance. Everyone matters.
Another thing I’ve noticed is, those who are the “less seen” parts, seem to not see their own value. They come in like slaves to the faces of ministry, not as sons and daughters of God. This is also a shame.
We need to see our own value. Not for arrogance sake, or accolades, but so we can realize that God desires to use us too. How can we move in the “greater things” that Jesus said we would if we think only the “celebrities” can achieve those things. Not so. The “greater things” are for everyone. Read this…
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in Me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in My name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in My name, and I will do it! John 14:12-14
He said, “anyone who believes in Me will do the SAME works I have done, and even GREATER WORKS”. This is so important to notice. I will continually speak of this because this is important to Him…as it said, “I will do it so that the Son can bring glory to the Father”. It’s all to bring glory to God.
Every greater work brings glory to God, so why do we shy away from them or pretend they don’t exist?
I refuse to shy away and pretend. I will dedicate my life to pursuing them, that in doing so, Jesus can bring glory to the Father. Will you join me?
The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. and if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye.” Would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where He wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So, we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
365 Days in the Presence 