This past Sunday we read in 1 Corinthians 12: 26 that when one part of our body suffers, all of the body suffers. Am I living that out now. I’m suffering from a sinus infection. My nasal passages are jammed up. My eyes are puffy. And so my entire body drags through the day. This has been going on for three weeks now. I went to see the doctor and he tells me, “Mr Joe, at your age…” He obviously flunked the class on bedside manners in Medical School.
Isn’t it interesting how a tiny ailment – a hangnail for example – can affect us. It seems our entire body is in pain. In this cold weather season, I get little fissures at my fingernails. Man they hurt. How can something so small and seemingly insignificant cause such aggravation and distraction?
We know from practical experience that if one part suffers, all parts suffer with it. If you’ve ever had a kidney stone, You know what I mean. This is true for our bodies, and it is Biblically true for the Body of Christ.
The Great Commandment – Love
Jesus gives us the great commandment to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves. When a neighbor suffers, we suffer. When someone suffers homelessness and unemployment, our community suffers. Those suffering addictions, our community suffers with them. Young women struggling to figure out how to have and keep that baby, only to find no help – we all suffer. How can we, as good stewards, alleviate their suffering? How can we disciples of Jesus step up and make a difference in the lives of those suffering? How can our stewardship of all the blessings God gives to us, in turn, be a blessing to those in need?
Let’s pray about how we, as good stewards, as disciples, can make an impact on our families and our community for the good of God’s kingdom, “Lord, give me the wisdom to know how to serve, and the courage to do it.” Amen.
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