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The Body of Christ... My Body.

christinepoper


"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 one of another." Romans 12:4

I've always pictured one joy of heaven being a part of a crowd of millions, singing together! Different tribes and tongues, varying vocal abilities, a cascade of languages blending together to make the most beautiful and joyful noise.


In my imagination, we'd all be gathered in our various groups, like a choir with all the sopranos in one section and the altos in another. Your earthly tribe would be surrounding you, blasting out their praise in your mother tongue while close by other nationalities would be doing the same.


But last night I found myself in the middle of a crowd of people who were all singing in a language I don't yet understand. I couldn't join them with the same words and I didn't even know what they were saying. "What if heaven is more like this?" I thought, "All mixed together. They are a part of the Body after all. My Body."


"This is the Body of Christ. They are a part of my Body."


I don't think I'd ever thought of it that way before... The Body of Christ being my Body too. I'm not just an attachment to it. It belongs to me as I belong to it. The Body of Christ is my body, not because I'm in charge of it but because I am a part of it.


Suddenly a different group of people began to flow through my mind... people who have really hurt me and the friends I love, but who are also a part of this Body of Christ; people who frustrate me and who I struggle to feel love for, but who are also a part of this Body of Christ; people who I feel separated from because of our differences, but who are also a part of this Body of Christ.


"They are a part of my body."



Things began to turn and slide into place in my mind. You see, I've been learning a lot about self-love recently. Not in a pampering sense, but in a "You've hated things about yourself and it's time to stop" kind of sense, and in a "Are you listening to what your body tells you that it needs?" sort of sense. When your body is in pain, you care for it. If your body is not in pain, you still care for it! If you don't care for your body, deterioration happens.


In that moment, I was faced with this problem: there were parts of my Body that I didn't care about. Their disfunction was a nuisance to me and I had been content with dismission being my heart's final response. But God, in His mercy, is taking me further along in this journey and, in turn and without condemning me, is showing me that His heart doesn't end there.


"They are a part of my body."


I saw those people who have hurt me in my mind's eye and, instead of anger and frustration, I was led into grief and compassion. Some due to sin are living their lives in ways they were never meant to and their purpose and gifting have been distorted by the lies they believe. And so I lifted them before the Father and laid them at his feet.


"They are a part of my Body."


I saw those who frustrate me or who I easily criticize in my mind's eye. And so I took a moment to chose thoughts of love and gratitude for them. I took time to really see and appreciate the part that they play.


"They are a part of my Body."


It's not my job to steward the entire Body of Christ like I do my physical body. Some of these people I will never need to be in close contact or connection with again. However, this corrected and deeper perspective of them, and attitude towards them, allows me to walk in alignment with the unity that Christ (to whom this Body belongs) has called us to. It's an act of worship onto Him. They and I - we, united together - are His.


"This is my body, which is given for you." (Luke 22:19)



Now I see Jesus on the cross. The truth always leads to Him who is the Truth.

His body hangs there. Given for me. Raised in death and then in life! Given for me.


"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34


He has called us His body, though we have all fallen short. We've rejected Him in countless ways. We haven't loved Him in many of our actions. And yet, we are still His - His body. Cleansed by His blood and healed by His wounds. Made holy and pure! Sanctified and redeemed!


LOVED.


And we are called to love one another.


"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." John 15:12
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