Dr. McCall walked into the hospital room just a few days ago. She is my sister's kidney doctor (Nephrologist) and she was talking to Nancy about Nancy's current kidney function.
Nancy has had several health issues, and we knew that over the years one of her kidneys had been weakening. Now Dr. McCall was telling her that the kidney was actually very "tiny" from lack of use over the years and is now basically "dead." The kidney is no longer useful at all.
It didn't happen overnight. As a matter of fact it has taken 20 years for the kidney to atrophy and become completely useless. You see, the less it was used over time, the more useless it became!
My mind immediately turned to the Body of Christ. I believe the Scriptures clearly teach that the Body of Christ can atrophy as well. The Scriptures teach that we NEED each other to thrive!
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25)
The Bible tells us that the early church "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." (Acts 2:42)
Our Body needs to be together with all of its "parts" at every opportunity!
"For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another." (Romans 12:4-5)
Both Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 command us to sing together.
Ephesians 4:16 specifically talks about how the "whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, and each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love." The Lord did not intend for our spiritual Body to become "tiny" from lack of use and interaction!
I don't know about you, but I am happiest and strongest when every member of my body is properly functioning and working together as a whole!
The Body of Christ is the same way. It is most effective in this world in glorifying God and worshipping Him when we work and worship together as His Body.
Sisters, let's make sure that we will not let this recent pandemic cause the Body of Christ to atrophy! Every one of us is a part of that Body and every
part is needed!
We need singers to be singing, teachers to be teaching, givers to be giving, preachers to be preaching, encouragers to be encouraging and all of us to be worshipping together!
You only need to read I Corinthians 12 to understand that the Life of the Body in this world depends on the vibrant, useful lives of every one of us working together!
What more can you personally do to strengthen the Body right now and in the future? You see, in the end, that is what will matter for eternity for every one of us! Let's get busy! There is no retirement until we hear these sweet words:
"Well done, good and faithful servant!"
For His Glory,
Sheila
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