“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.”
1 Corinthians 12: 12
I have a question for you: Is it a new law that every commercial or corporate email must contain the phrase, “In these uncertain times…” or “We’ll get through this together”? I understand people are anxious and we are all trying to convey empathy (the church included) – but it starts to sound a little disingenuous after a while, am I right?
Another phrase making the rounds is “essential businesses” or “essential workers.” If you’re not considered “essential” right now, it can be a blow to your ego. I sure do miss a lot of the places where I used to eat that are closed because they aren’t considered essential during a pandemic. It makes me re-evaluate what
essential truly means!
Here’s some good news for the day: YOU are essential in God’s eyes! No matter who you are, how old you are, or what you do for a living, YOU are essential to Him. You are a child of God. He loves you, He died for you, and would have done it if you were the only one who needed saving.
At a recent Family Table service, we talked about the fact that we are all children of God and we all matter to Him. As a dad, nothing makes my heart happier than when I catch my own children (especially during these past few weeks being quarantined together) being kind to one another. I have caught them being unselfish and sweet when they didn’t know I was watching. It melts my heart. At the same time, if you want to get me worked up, let me see someone messing with – or being mean – to my kids.
I’ve got to believe that what I feel in these moments is a small glimpse into God’s heart. It brings God joy to see His children loving each other, serving one another and sacrificing for each other. Similarly, it grieves God's heart to see His children mistreating or turning their back on one another.
We have seen the people of All Saints Church step up and love those in need these past few weeks. We have seen groups get on their knees to pray for people they don’t know, just because they heard someone was sick, lonely or in need. Folks are running errands for neighbors. It is the picture of a church being the hands and feet of God, and it is inspiring. Those kind of actions honor and bless God the Father.
1 Corinthians 12 speaks of the church being a body made of many parts. Each part is important and valuable in its own way. We need each other. We are all essential; never more so than when we work together to serve others and share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
I am confident we will get through these "uncertain times" =). While we navigate these times, let’s ask God to help us see His essential children as He does. By doing so, we can serve and love those whom He places in our paths, and give the world a glimpse of the Kingdom that His church is always talking about!
In Christ,
Gary
