Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Some of you may well be able to agree with me as you have walked through some tough times and had to deal with pain and struggles in your life. It is difficult to say the least.
It all started a little over a week ago on Friday morning. Our first cold front had hit and I was getting dressed to do crossing guard duty. As I was pulling on my first boot there was a twinge in my back. I knew I had messed something up.
I finished getting ready and did my duty at the crosswalk. Everything went well, so I headed for the office. When I sat down there was a shot of pain that went down my left leg. It wasn’t long and my lower back was hurting no matter what I did. I finally just closed up and headed for the house.
Here we are 10 days later and the pain is still with me. I can’t seem to find the relief that I want. I lie on an ice pack, use a ting unit, and try to sit just right so that when I get up it doesn’t hurt too much. But alas, the pain is still there.
The pain in my back is something that impacts the rest of my body. I can’t get up quickly. I can’t walk like I want. I can’t get in and out of a car easily. I can’t stand as straight as I would normally. Even sitting and typing impacts how my back feels.
After hurting my back I made a couple of calls to have someone fill the pulpit on Sunday morning and evening. Even though I was not going to be able to fill the pulpit someone else would be there to proclaim the word. The work would go on.
In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul tells of the importance every part of the body. It makes no difference which part it may be, it is important to the overall working of the body. When one part isn’t working the way it should there are problems the rest of the body must overcome.
I realize that Paul is speaking of the spiritual gifts. But even when a part of the body isn’t working as it should, the entire body is impacted. And as one part helps the other part fulfill its calling, the body of Christ is the same as well.
Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 12:20-25 -- 20 But now there are many members, but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23 and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, 24 whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, 25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.
When my back went out and I couldn’t stand and preach the work went on. Bro. James Greer preached on Sunday morning and Bro. David Moore did Sunday evening. They stepped in to make sure that the word was shared. After all we are one body.
Each part of the body has a part of the overall working of the body. There are times when one part may not be working the way it should, but the other parts will help to compensate for the need. The body works together to do what is needed.
That is the body of Christ. Each one works together with the other to accomplish what is needed. The work that is before the body of Christ is accomplished as each member of the body fulfills the call God has given them.
The question we must answer is --- Are we working together to be the body of Christ?
JESUS, JESUS, JESUS, there IS something about that name!!
Christ only, always,
Bro. Paul
Brother Paul Nachtigall is the preacher at Highland Baptist Church. He can be reached at bropaul@centramedia.net.
