But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.
1 Corinthians 12:241 Corinthians 12:24
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
24 but we don't have to be modest about other parts. God put our bodies together in such a way that even the parts that seem the least important are valuable.
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I was recently involved in a conversation where I was asked, “What is the most unenviable job you’ve ever had?” I had to think for a moment because I’ve had a couple of occupations in my work history that might qualify. But finally I shared about a position I held once providing in-home care to a terminally ill gentleman who was dying of Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Spending time with him was a pleasure because he was a devout believer in Jesus Christ and had an admirable disposition, especially considering his prognosis. The undesirable nature of that job involved helping him with matters where his body no longer functioned normally. He could not use the bathroom alone, blow his nose, walk, lie down, eat, or do many other things that we take for granted. But, despite all his inabilities, he still did at least one thing exceptionally well. He encouraged those around him!! He hadn’t resigned the last days of his life to self-pity or depression; he hadn’t given up on fulfilling his role in the body of Christ. I can still see the broad smile he would flash at everyone who walked through the door to visit and I can hear his voice talking about the Lord and sharing words of joy. Right up to his death, he was on active duty in the body of Christ!
I think we can learn a lesson from “Al” when it comes to doing our job in caring for the body of Christ. No matter what part of the body we may be connected to based on our gifts and abilities, we all can help keep the body healthy by being encouragers. We can offer words of affirmation and hope to those parts of the body that are hurting. We can do more than just tell someone we’re going to pray for them, we can actually do it. We can smile more and brighten another’s day. We can do what the Bible says and think of others more highly than ourselves and think of their interests too (Ph. 2:3-4Ph. 2:3-4
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
3 Don't be jealous or proud, but be humble and consider others more important than yourselves.
4 Care about them as much as you care about yourselves
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Whenever I reflect back on my time spent with “Al,” it isn’t the undignified times that stand out or the tasks that I performed for him, but rather it is the blessings I received from him, an encouraging vocal chord in the body of Christ.
reflect
- Am I strengthening the body of Christ or handicapping it? How?
- What care can I offer the Body at The Mount?
This post was originally distributed through PDF in conjunction with the Christian Self Image series, November 2, 2005r 2, 2005
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
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