My family and I have recently been watching a reality-type television series where people voluntarily are dropped off in the middle of uninhabited locations which typical consist of harsh terrain and extremely difficult weather environments to see who can survive on their own for the longest amount of time. All alone. After completing a season of this series, I have been thinking so much about the idea of surviving on my own. When I watched the first episode, I would think to myself, "Oh! I could totally do that!" I am quite the stubborn one and do not give up easily. I was thinking to myself about how I would set up my shelter, find food sources like berries, and what kind of water source I could devise. But by episode 3 when they had to start a fire from rubbing 2 sticks together, I knew I absolutely could not! Some of these contestants did so well with the daily tasks of finding food, making a shelter, starting a fire, and so much that I hadn't even began to think about doing as I watched from the comfort of my own home. Some of the contestants had been without human contact for such a long period of time that they were legitimately beginning to seem a little "coo coo" if you know what I mean. While the TV series is a fascinating glimpse into human nature, this idea of doing life alone is not at all what the Word of God challenges us to do! In fact, the Bible tells us to do quite the opposite! We are encouraged to do this life together with other Believers. By us obeying this instruction from God, we are playing our part in God's plan. Scripture tells us that we are all a part of the body of Christ. We all have a part we play.
Romans 12:5
“So we, being many, are one body in Christ,
and individually members of one another.”
Think about the integral parts of a pocket watch. Every single part is necessary to the mechanism working as it was designed to work. If the hands aren't there, then no one will never know what time it is. If the wheels and cogs aren't present, then the entire watch will not work. If every part isn't doing it's designed purpose, the entire watch is useless.The same exact concept is vital in the Church. We are all called to serve and fulfill a certain part of the family. While some are called to sing, others are called to rock Mid-Way's littlest in the nursery. Others may be called to brew the delicious coffee that we all mutually enjoy on a Sunday morning while their spouses are teaching a Small Group class full of 4th graders. Every single place of service is vital to the body as a whole! We are meant to do this together.
Prayer Tip #28 - Pray for courage to step up and in to
God's family with other Believers like He has intended for us!
The Bible uses these kinds of phrases 58 times: "Love one another," “Care for one another.” “Pray for one another.” “Encourage one another.” “Help one another.” “Counsel one another.” “Support one another.” And on and on the list goes. It is the mutual ministry of every Believer in the family of God to every other believer in the family of God. That’s the way God meant for it to be.
1 John 4:7
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God;
and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God."
Ephesians 2:4-5
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
There’s a word for this way of living: ministry. Every Christian is a minister. Though not every Christian is a pastor, every Christian is to be a minister. That means you use your talents and gifts to make a contribution in life. Be a giver, not a taker. What a challenge! I want to encourage you, dear sisters, to step up and in to what may seem like a new territory! Let's serve one another because we are not meant to do this life alone. Let's challenge one another to minister to each other because we are living our lives in light of all that Christ did for us on the Cross.
What does that look like for you? Is it joining the orchestra? Is it volunteering to serve in our children's ministries? Is it serving at a Welcome Desk on Sundays? Whatever that might look like, be willing to jump in when there is a need. We are all meant to do this life together!
Prayer Points:
Lord, Thank You for my church family.
Lord, Thank You for allowing the blessing of living life together.
Lord, help me to look for the ways I can serve You through serving others.
Lord, help me to step outside of my comfort zones to look at areas where others need help and encouragement.
Suggested Prayer - Pray these words in your heart or out loud:
Father, I come before You in the Name of Jesus and praise You for Your goodness in my life. Thank You for intentionally You have given me a community of Believers to walk this life with. You have given me a place with Your children to learn more about You, to serve along side of, and to grow closer to You with. Thank You for giving me my church family to simply come before You and worship You for all You have done and all You have given us. Thank You for not requiring us to do life alone, but together! What a gift! I ask that You teach me how to better include others in my life when it's not a natural part of who I am, and show me others that need community so that I can reach out to them. Thank You for loving us so much that You have given us each other! In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen!
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