Day 28

“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” —EPHESIANS 4:15

In the western world we have a culture of individualism where it is very easy to ask as a defining question, “What’s in it for me?” We compare ourselves with each other, hoping we compare favourably with an edge in important areas. Paul writes in Ephesians 4 about how the body will build itself up in love as each part does its work. It is important we realize that it is the spirit of humility, gentleness, patience, and love that constitute the engine that empowers the body to build itself up.

When we are challenged to ask, “God, what do You have for me to do? And where is it?” some of us might say, “Well, I don’t have what it takes.” That’s okay for two reasons: 1) Christ in you will empower you; and 2) we are mutually dependent on each other. None of us is called to operate alone.

When God asked Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses said, “I can’t speak.” And God said, “That’s okay, Moses. Aaron will speak for you. You tell him what to say; you mumble to him what you think you can’t articulate publicly, and he will get up and say it well to the people. You have one gift, and he has another.”

It is the corporate witness of the people of God that has the biggest impact on our communities. When we operate in a spirit of interdependence, fellowship, mutual support and love, our prayer will be that people recognize God is among us. We are not lone rangers in our faith. We are part of a body that is corporately operating under the headship of Christ, in the energy of His Spirit, and through the mutual interdependence of His people. Christ in us enables us to work together and be fruitful. That is a rich experience for us and a rich experience for those we serve.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for the corporate body of your church that keeps me working interdependently with others. Keep me from ever being a lone ranger in my faith. We need each other, and I pray that people will recognize You are among us. Thank You, Lord.

TO REFLECT UPON: In what ways has working in mutual dependence upon others in Christ benefitted me in my walk with God and in serving others?