This Sunday, we had about 25 people over to our house for an Easter celebration. We played lots of games, hung out together, ate lots of food, and had a scaled-down version of our Bible discussion time.
It’s always encouraging to get together with a larger group of people to honor Christ. It makes you feel like you’re not alone…that you’re part of something bigger than yourself. i think that must be part of what is meant by 1 Thessalonians 5:5-11, which concludes with the instruction for us to “encourage one another, and build each other up.” We simply cannot do this following-Jesus thing by ourselves…we are not meant to. I admit what all of you know already, I am naturally a ‘lone ranger’ type, and can get along just fine by myself. The problem is that we were created for more than just our individual perceptions of ‘getting along.’ Each of us was created for greatness…not the world’s version of greatness, but the Lord’s. Greatness in God’s opinion has to do with serving others, living into His intentions for us in His world. We were created for each other…for inclusion, being woven together, into the very Body of Christ, to continue what He started:
Ephesians 4:1-7,16 (NLT)
I beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Always keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together with peace. We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future. There is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and there is only one God and Father, who is over us all and in us all and living through us all. However, he has given each one of us a special gift according to the generosity of Christ…Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Let's all be reminded how vital it is that we be connected to other members of Christ's Body. What do we miss when we're not? What do others miss when we're not? What do we all gain when we are? What part are you?
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