Do you know how important you are? This is an understatement, but you are very important. Paul explains why in his letter to the church in Ephesus. He writes:
11 He gave some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. 12 His purpose was to equip God’s people for the work of serving and building up the body of Christ 13 until we all reach the unity of faith and knowledge of God’s Son. God’s goal is for us to become mature adults—to be fully grown, measured by the standard of the fullness of Christ. 14 As a result, we aren’t supposed to be infants any longer who can be tossed and blown around by every wind that comes from teaching with deceitful scheming and the tricks people play to deliberately mislead others. 15 Instead, by speaking the truth with love, let’s grow in every way into Christ, 16 who is the head. The whole body grows from him, as it is joined and held together by all the supporting ligaments. The body makes itself grow in that it builds itself up with love as each one does its part. (Ephesians 4:11-16)
You might not be an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher, but you still have a part. The body of Christ is called to work together, you and I, so that we can grow into the “fullness of Christ.”
The body makes itself grow in that it builds itself up with love as each one does its part. (Ephesians 4:16b)
What is your part? This is not always easy to answer. It takes time talking to God in prayer. It takes time seeking God’s voice through reading the Bible. Taking time to rest and be silent is also good. We may have talents that are rather obvious and can be used. We may have a great passion for people or certain issues that guide us.
As Christians, we are filled with the Holy Spirit and are equipped with Spiritual Gifts. Here is a link to a page on The United Methodist Church’s website that will help you explore your Spiritual Gifts.
Every child of God is filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, specially gifted to play a unique and valued role in the body of Christ. No one is without gift or purpose. (www.umc.org)
The body of Christ, the Church, is a beautiful thing. As we all seek to love God and to live out our part, we love one another, encourage one another and equip one another so that we can continue to grow into the full measure of Christ.
Here is a “cardboard testimony” that speaks to the beauty of the church being the Church.
Blessings,
Pastor Matt
(All scripture cited above from Common English Bible Copyright © 2011)