This week we conclude our summer sermon series “Come as you are…” As such, I can’t help but to stop and reflect on how it went, and what it means for us moving forward. You’ll hear more about that during Sunday’s message, but for now I just want you to ponder – What does it mean for God to tell you to “come as you are?” What does it mean that God also invites others in our community to “come as you are?” And most importantly, where do these two questions merge together? If everyone comes as they are, as their own unique selves, how then do we, together, make up the Body of Christ?
Be reminded of Paul’s words to the church in Corinth…
“14 Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot would say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear would say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many members, yet one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; 24 whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, 25 that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”
(1 Corinthians 12:14-27, NRSV)
Ponder today – which member are you? How are you helping those who might be labeled as less honorable or more inferior? This is our calling as Christians – loving God AND loving neighbor. Putting ourselves last that others may be first. Bringing the full Body together so that we can effectively make disciples and transform the world.
Blessings to you all,
Pastor Steve