The Joy of Glory

1 Corinthians 12 (click here)
For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should 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. And if the ear should 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. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. (1 Corinthians 12:14-20 and 24b-26)

Reflection
The discs between vertebrae in your spine are so small. I mean seriously… how important could a little two-inch wide circle of gelatin like substance be?

You have no idea!… unless you’ve had one go crazy on you.

I had back surgery in December to fix a herniated disc… and let me tell you… it may be an extremely small part of the body, but when it hurts… the whole-body hurts! It had the ability to put me completely out of commission… bed-ridden… it hurt to move anything.

In truth, every single part of our body is important. Recent science is even beginning to see purpose for the often-insulted appendix! The point is, we can’t just pay attention to the complexion of our skin and the size of our waistline, caring only for the things seen on the outside… no… we must care for our whole body.

God has designed the community of the church to function in the same way.

He has made us an interdependent people… and we need all our “parts” to work. He did this so “that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.” We can’t ignore any member in the body of Christ, for when one member suffers, all suffer together!

Do you see the amazing wisdom of God… he designed our bodies in such a way that they demand our care and attention… likewise… he designed our church community in such a way that demands our loving sacrifice for one another.

He designed us to be a cruciform community.

You are a vital part of the body of Christ! And you are called to show others that they are a vital part of the body of Christ! You are called right into the heart of this thing we call cruciform community.

 
*All previous devotionals may be found at www.thejoyofglory.com
*The complete SVCC Lenten reading guide is available here.