Monday September 11, 2023

Today is Monday, September 11 and we are exploring what the Bible says about life together in the Body of Christ.

As a new day dawns, I seek God first. I slow down and pause to focus on his loving presence. I inhale his goodness and peace and exhale any worries or concerns. I leave my burdens to rest in his strong hands.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, you are King of my heart and Shepherd of my soul. Walk with me on today’s journey. Lead me to green pastures and still waters. Guide me in paths of righteousness and fill the cup of my heart with your goodness. Amen.

I rejoice in God’s loving care and guidance. I praise him with the familiar words of Psalm 23.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. Psalm 23:5-6

Pause and Pray

In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul used the human body as a metaphor for the church. His carefully crafted explanation underscored both the unity and the diversity of the Body of Christ. All members of the body are encouraged to use their gifts for the good of the whole. The image is artfully employed to advocate interdependence among all members of the church body. Just as Paul’s wisdom applied to the church of Corinth in the first century, it applies to my church today.

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 17-20

The church is the Body of Christ. Like a physical, human body, the church has many parts that come together to form a single breathing, functioning unit. I am a part of Christ’s body and belong to a fellowship of baptized believers. In Christ’s body, am I an ear, an eye, a hand or a foot? If I could choose a part of the body, what would I be? God has placed every one of the parts of the body exactly where he wanted them to be. The design is perfect. I have an important function and role in my church’s body that I am to fulfill as part of the call on my life.

Ask: How do I understand my role in the Body of Christ? How does my community function together in the life of faith?

Pause and Pray

God, thank you for giving me the necessary gifts and graces to fulfill my role in the Body of Christ. I am grateful for my church home and the fellowship I enjoy with other believers. I give you thanks for the many relationships that bless me. I am one part of a functioning body of disciples and I have an important job to do. Help me comprehend the work you have assigned me and help me do it faithfully. I read the words from First Corinthians again and listen for the message you have for me.

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 17-20

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

God wants to speak to me this week about my role in my church home. I consider my current relationship with the Body of Christ. How might this passage of scripture inform a current circumstance, shed light on a situation or answer a prayer? Perhaps God wants to reveal my assigned role in the community of faith. Maybe God wants me to realize the importance of having authentic, life-giving relationships with other Christians. Perhaps God wants to bless me with new relationships or bless my church home in a new way.

Pause and Pray

Holy God, show me what it means to live faithfully as a member of the body of believers. Reveal my role in the church and how you want me to function in my particular faith community. Place me precisely where you want me to be. Strengthen my church, nurture the fellowship and care for its members. Amen.

After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. Ephesians 5:29-30

As I leave this time of prayer, I go to love, support, serve and enjoy the church home God has given me.

Amen