Have you ever noticed that when you have even the smallest of aches or pains you are preoccupied with them and it makes staying on task just that much more difficult? I know that at the moment, I have what appears to be a case of planters factitious and the pain, even while sitting is immense. As such, I spend a lot of time thinking of and dealing with the pain and not doing other things. This pain is only on the one part of my body, yet drastically impacts the rest of me. The same takes place in the body of Christ.
“19If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, yet one body…25that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.26If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” – 1 Corinthians 12:19-20 & 25-26 (ESV)
We are all part of the body of Christ. As one of us goes, so goes the rest of us. When one is in pain, the rest of us feel the pain as well and do what we can to help them overcome the pain. When one is celebrating, the rest of us celebrate with them and do what we can to help them enjoy the success.
This concept of caring for one another as one body are not new or difficult to understand. Taking care to perform them and live them out is where things get a little complicated. You see, each of us has our own things that we are working through and the tendency is to take care of me and allow others to take care of everyone else. And I suppose there is some truth to that approach in that how much help will I be if I am constantly trying to deal with my own things.
Here’s the thing that I have to remember. God will take care of His. Yes, I may be dealing with things on my end, yet God will not let me go through those alone. When I make it known, others in the body of Christ will come to my care. I can care for those in need as others care for my needs. We are all in this together as the body of Christ. So, always be looking for how you can care for others and know that you will be cared for as others are looking out for who they may care for.
What is your approach to caring? Are you reluctant to care for others as you have plenty on your own that needs caring for? What if you just placed your trust in God and the body of Christ to care for you as you care for others?
Trevor's Thoughts 