1 Corinthians 12:12-26. I’ve read these verses many times and heard sermons about ‘The body and its members’. I have understood them from the context of need based on the ability to perform tasks. I understood that in order to have a church service we need a pastor to teach as well as a janitor to clean and everything in between - of which I am leaving a lot out. My reason being is that my focus was on the external functions so to speak - the physical manifestations of each position. I prided myself on this good quality of mine. I did see the importance of each and every member of the body of Christ AND I had no problem being that lowly member. I was above needing recognition for any of my ‘gifts’.
Then I got a hold of 1 Corinthians 12:26
Then I got a hold of 1 Corinthians 12:26
“And whether one member suffer, all the members
suffer with it; or one member be honored,
all the members rejoice with it.”
I don’t usually write in my Bible (another of my shortcomings), but last winter during a Beth Moore study (Psalms of Ascent) I wrote these words in my Bible:
We need each other
We care for one another.
The Lord made us dependent on one another.
I underlined a key word for me - dependent.
I worked so many years building walls to keep people at bay because I did NOT want to NEED anybody.
Twenty one years ago God sent my husband at warp speed right through that wall and it took a lot for me to accept that I could depend on him. It is a scary thing to be vulnerable. After all these years (I can be a little slow - praise God He is patient)
I am realizing that I still have walls up. I have great friends - but I don’t NEED them.
I worked so many years building walls to keep people at bay because I did NOT want to NEED anybody.
Twenty one years ago God sent my husband at warp speed right through that wall and it took a lot for me to accept that I could depend on him. It is a scary thing to be vulnerable. After all these years (I can be a little slow - praise God He is patient)
I am realizing that I still have walls up. I have great friends - but I don’t NEED them.
Actually, I do. I have had conversations with myself to deal with the idea of losing any of them. You see, I didn’t trust God that I could handle losing another person close to my heart (another issue I have). He is still working on the trust issue with me but I am so grateful that He has fully revealed the importance of the body of Christ in my world. I am asking Him to tear down those walls (gently please) because I NEED and want you ladies in my life. I need your prayers, I need your care and I need your friendship.
Thank you Lord for my sisters in Christ.
Amy, You are so right as far as needing friends: Sometime ago I posted something similar; God showed me thru a health issue that it is ok to trust the women that He has put me around and that He would take care of anyone who would betray me. You see Amy, I have been pretty independant for most of 15 year, raising my kid and not having anyone to rely (with acception to my mom)on for help. God finally got thru that I NEED friends and it's ok to be trusting. You see my ex husband taught me to be distrusting of most everyone, so it's took a while for God to get thru that it's ok to trust these women. I am very thankful that God is patient and faithful to us despite our faults and shortcomings.
ReplyDeleteAmy, you are any awesome person and want to continue to get to know you.
God Bless you and your family
Kristie