The Body of Christ

If I seem distracted this morning as I compose today’s blog, you can blame our dog Marley. She is now crying at the door because there is an animal of some description under our front deck and steps. When I let her out earlier, she was more than a little excited in her pursuit. To my horror when I finally moved the barbecue, I noticed through the boards a white bushy tail sticking up and in sight. Although I am not absolutely sure, I strongly suspect that the invader is a skunk. Poor Marley is now confined to the house until her new friend leaves! We are most fortunate that we are, at this very moment, not cleaning up a very smelly dog. Now Marley is whining at my feet imploring me to let her go out.

I wrote in yesterday’s blog about the four young men that came to voluntarily replace the shingles on our roof. While I observed their work last week, I was struck with the different skill set each possessed. Although each could do most of the work, a certain strength emerged as they worked. One was very patient and efficient at cleaning up the old shingles, nails and debris as well as bringing new shingles to the roof. Another was the planner carefully measuring and figuring the next move in the job as he consulted with others for their opinion when he needed it. One was the action man and worked very hard at removing old shingles and installing new shingles making the job move along at a good pace. The fourth laid out shingles for nailing and moved along behind capping the peak as the shingles reached the top of the roof. Marley is now again at the door crying to be let out. I don’t think that is going to happen!

What I observed in the actions of those four strong young men put me in mind of the church. The church is often called the body of Christ. The church, and there is only one church, is not a building, organization or hierarchy. The church is very simply made up of those who believe and try their best to follow Christ. Each has his or her own strength that can be used in service to the body of Christ. We find a description of this process in 1Corinthians 12.

27 ¶ Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.
28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?
30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

We as believers are all different individuals. We have different approaches and strengths to bring to the service of Christ. Indeed our strengths may change of necessity throughout our lives. Age or illness may indeed modify what we can best do. We don’t need or want to be all alike. There is no one way to serve that is the best, most prestigious way. The important thing is that we seek out our role in the body of Christ and offer ourselves to the service of His church.

Have you found your strength? What can you offer Jesus today?

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