Friday, March 20, 2015

One Church

Many Parts, One Body

Last autumn, I had multiple privileges to serve with Operation Christmas Child at the new processing center in Columbia Maryland.  During one of those days, I worked alongside a spirited young woman who later gave her testimony of receiving a Christmas shoebox gift and hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ for the very first time at the age of six with hundreds of other orphans.  At one point, looking down the line of our station I had a parallel image.  Each station had two rows of people working across from each other.  Each pair completed the same task. The first two people went through boxes removing any donations.  Those boxes were given to the next two sets of people removing prohibited items and adding permissible items to refill.  The boxes were then sent further down the line for taping and/or bar code scanning.  Finally passed down to those who re-boxed by gender and age.


More times than not, a station would begin humming or singing along a worship or praise song being played, moving in perfect sync and harmony.  Another station would join in, then another, until the room was bursting with praise.  Even moments when endless chatter and quite a bit of friendly teasing ruled the station, the gladness of heart seemed full.   I thought of the scripture “whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord” (Colossians 3:23).   There were quiet moments, too.  I found I was not the only one praying over every box I touched.  So even in silence, hearts were joined for a single purpose.  Sometimes the groups didn’t flow as smoothly.   Occasionally, a person would “take charge” or a couple would slack off their portion.  I inwardly questioned the need to cause another to feel inadequate.  I witnessed others offer to switch places to avoid conflict or wounding to those targeted.  I myself, found quiet ways to deflect with a slight smile, (raised brow) and offered tool, such as pen or tape, silently suggesting the aggressor could be more helpful to those missing items or moving slower.  The unity seemed disjointed during those times; but, the work continued.

I thought of Romans 12: 4-5 “For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”  Here we were in a room as strangers.  Many were solo, like me.  Many came as family and most were in groups.  Whether solo or part of a group, everyone was at a station with people they did not know at some point in the day.  Yet, even in those moments of trials, we were one in Jesus Christ.  No one person at a station may know anyone’s name, but no spirit was stranger.  We were brothers and sisters through Jesus.  Through the Holy Spirit, every person in that room, from all over the Mid-Atlantic region and other countries, we were bound by a cohesive purpose and Higher calling.  Souls came together to prepare precious cargo for children around the globe, for hearts waiting to hear of a Savior who deeply loves them.  The moment preparations stopped to lay hands on crates of boxes to pray for those delivering, those receiving, God’s presence brought all those parts, seen and unseen, under Him as head of the Church. 

I had another experience shortly after, attending a volunteer meeting.  The first annual….  In this meeting, I believe nearly ten churches were represented.  No one was Catholic, Baptist, Episcopalian, or non-denominational.  It was not even brought up and I’m not naming specifics, not really sure which were represented, which is the point.  This meeting was not about churches organizing service to the community.  This meeting was for the Church, the body of Christ, coming together to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus.  To spread the gospel to the lost, feed the hungry, and make provision for the widows and orphans by people desiring to surrender themselves to Christ for the welfare of those living around them.

Image result for one body many partsAs believers, we forget we are all lost, saved and unsaved alike share that commonality.  We are spiritually poor because we live in a fallen world.  No one is exempt from this reality.  We must resolve to be of one body, under the influence of one spirit, the mind of Christ.  We have all been given a task to do and no matter how small it is important.  My thumb is still healing.  I never gave much thought to my thumb before; however, in the last 18 months I find the thumb to be one of the most important parts of the human body!  There is no such thing as a lesser body part.  It is the same in the Church.  No task, no gift, no one person is insignificant.  All parts are needed to continue the work of Jesus, who came to redeem all of creation back to fellowship with God.  Let us put aside how we worship and where and be of one spirit with Jesus.  We are many parts, spiritually fused as one body, serving one Lord for we are of one body, one spirit, baptized in one spirit to form one body.


PRAY, CONSIDER, RECEIVE, SHARE 

    Please PRAY for people in situations with very little to nothing to call their own.  In our own neighborhood people live in tents and cars.  They are bathing their children at the sinks in Wal-Mart.   Children are living in environments void of hope of a future.  People need a kind word, a helpful hand, a listening ear.   Jesus will guide them to a loving God who is the only One who can protect the essence of self, their soul and he is calling us to be His hands and feet.  Jesus is the Way, the Truth and Life.  Only He can reconcile our hearts back to God.  Seek the Way.  Learn of Truth.  Choose Life.  May we all not just believe in Jesus, but believe Him.  Please PRAY for those in your neighborhood, your workplace and/or schools.  Lift up the one who delivers  your mail, checks and bags your groceries.  Reach out and be an extension of Christ.   

     Please CONSIDER giving.  Pick up an extra non-perishable meal for a food pantry, trial size bathing supplies or towels for shelters.  The Mission in Great Mills, MD is open daily providing showers for the homeless.  Those with incarcerated parent(s) or the incarcerated themselves are lonely and in need of being ministered to.  Forgiveness and loving kindness are life changing gifts.   Below is the link to a website where you can learn more about The Mission.

     RECEIVE the Lord's eternal blessing for your partnership in whichever manner He guides you in. 

     Please SHARE this blog with anyone you know who is interested in supporting and/or partnering in missions work, locally or globally. 


PRAYER REQUESTS

The message of Christ’s redeeming grace be forefront in our minds and carried in our heart’s as we go about our day

Children displaced in homeless shelters, missions or orphaned

Children whose parents are incarcerated or unable to provide for them

Women and children sold in human trafficking


TO LEARN MORE ABOUT

The Mission