Focus

Slow your breathing and become aware of the taking in and letting out of your breath. Focus on putting things aside so you will be open to what God is saying to you today.

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Read

Ephesians 4:7, 11-16 (NRSV)

But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift.… The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.

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Reflect

The human body is amazing. Every part of the body is important. The toes and fingers are instrumental. The heart valves are just as important. When any part doesn’t work, our body does not function like it could.

The body of Christ is just as amazing. Everyone is blessed to receive a gift. We are to discover our gift and use it to further the God’s kingdom. Just as with our human bodies, one gift is just as important as another. Our human body is not designed for more than two hands, though it would be nice at times to have an extra hand. The body of Christ is not made up only of apostles or prophets. Each of us has a specific gift or role in the body of Christ.

Paul reminds us that living as part of the body of Christ can be messy and difficult. There will be misunderstandings and conflict. He is telling us that we need to accept one another just as we are. We also need to understand that our differences enrich the community.

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Pray

Creator God, help us to discover the gifts with which you have blessed us, empowering us to use those gifts to build up the body of Christ. Help us to accept one another just as we are, celebrating all of our gifts. Amen.

Go with God.