Stand

     Life with Jesus lifts us out of the depths, gives us a firm place to stand and allows us to see a future filled with hope, a new life that will last forever. To make all of this good news even better, He brings us into fellowship with other believers to fulfill His purposes. We stand together. Jesus calls us His body and we each play a part. Just as our physical body parts work in tandem, so, too, the body of Christ.

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head that is Christ. From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.  Ephesians 4:15-16

     Jesus, the Head, controls the entire body. Maybe you will be His eyes, seeing through to someone’s hurt. Are you His ears, lifting a burden, as you listen to someone's story? You may speak the Word of truth as a pastor or teacher. Are you His hands willing to help others in a practical way or will you be His feet traveling to other countries in mission?

     The world places high value on the red carpet, bright-white teeth, athletic prowess, academic success, a new dress, a sports car, Wall Street. God places the highest value, the greatest honor on the parts of His body that are hidden. (1 Corinthians 12:22-23) You want others to notice you? Are you trying to impress? How about impressing God? How do we do that? I picture Jesus, smiling with Fatherly pride, on the mom devoting her life to her special needs child, the 90-year-old in the nursing home praying earnestly for her family, the mission worker in the slums of India, weary, but carrying on, the grieving spouse tenderly caring for his very sick wife, the bent-over man sharpening the pew pencils. The list goes on. The world doesn’t notice, but God does.

     We are God’s dwelling place on this earth and together, the house grows stronger. We build each other up, we encourage, we hold on through the tough times and we move on as we listen to the One in charge. The house is built on Him. The house is built with love. He will show you where, what when and how. Let’s do this. Stand strong as the body of Christ. You are one of His most valuable parts.

Dear Jesus,

Show us our part of Your body. We want to serve, to build up Your house until you return for us to take us to our true home. Help us to honor Your quiet servants today.

Amen