When the Body Works

Several years ago I was a part of a church community in northwest Indiana. While there, tragedy struck our congregation. The kind of tragedy that altered the trajectory of so many peoples lives. As is sometimes the case, beauty emerged from the embers of destruction. 

Amidst all of the hurt and pain I was blessed to be a part of the Body. The church Body. Where  a group of people who are all dedicated to serving God and His people rise up and meet the needs of those that are hurting. It was awe inspiring to be a part of something GOOD the church was doing. I kept thinking of the verse in John 13:35. "Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other." Love was acted out over that weekend. It continues to be acted out as it is needed. The lessons on community that I learned during that time still impact the way I interact with others. 

The Church can be so beautiful when it steps up to the call God gives it. When the body of Christ reaches out to the hurting world, that's when lives are changed. We have such an opportunity to help. I know it's easier to ignore the hurt. The number of hurts in our world are overwhelming. But if we each did just the part God has put on our hearts to do, I bet we could make a huge dent in it. When you add the power of the Holy Spirit, think how mind blowing that could be!

It's scary to reach past oneself. To give of yourself requires trust and faith. With reaching out there is a chance you could be wounded. If you are trusting in a human to reward you for reaching out, you will probably be disappointed. That's not why God has put us here on earth together. We don't reach out so others can pat us on the back. We reach out to share God's love. To meet the needs of those who aren't in a place to take care of themselves.

Life is meant to be shared. Let's share the good and the bad. We need each other to live life.