“From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and build itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (Eph. 4:16)
Have you seen the beautiful stories coming out on social media these days? People are delivering flowers to each other, offering to shop for each other, encouraging, praying, giving, reaching out. Our world is being attacked, evoking fear and anxiety. But underneath that script, another story is being told – one of faith showing itself as love in action.
We are the Body of Christ. Each one of us has a role to play. Some may be the hands of Christ, offering help to someone in need. Others may be the feet of Christ, delivering food or supplies to those who can’t leave their homes. Some may be the mouth, encouraging and cheering us through these hard times. Some may be the ears, listening to the friend who needs to talk. Some may be the heart, filling our anxious places with compassion.
The question I want to ask is, what part of the Body of Christ are you in this crisis? Though we are likely affected by all that is going on, this virus is not about us. This is about faith and courage and a new opportunity to care for one another.
If the hands will do the work of the hands and not worry about callouses; if the feet will keep on moving despite the blisters; if the mouth will keep on encouraging and the ears will keep on listening, then the Body will grow stronger and stronger. When this crisis runs its course, who will the world say are the heroes? Will they look at the church as just another institution that worried about its survival, or will they look at the church, the Body of Christ, who came together even when they couldn’t meet together? Will this be the Body of Christ’s finest moment or show the church to be no different than a social club? The answer lies in our choice to unite as members of one body, each doing its part, relying fully on the Head, Jesus Christ.
What part of the Body of Christ are you in this crisis? Consider yourself like a soldier who has a mission. Your part may be small, but the Body relies on the toes and the fingers. You may need to do your part while being attacked yourself. Your part may be having the humility to let others serve you in your hour of need.
The apostle Paul raised a high bar for how to thrive in hardship. For Paul, it was about having a higher calling to guide his actions. Read his words carefully in light of our present difficulties and let’s all join together as part of that high calling:
“Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;… and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.” (2 Cor 6: 4-10)
This is the high calling today as the Body of Christ.
