Spurring Each Other On

“And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works.”Hebrews 10:24

As I listened to her tale of alienation from “the Church,” I recognized the common themes that many former church members list to explain why they are no longer a part of a body of believers. The judgment she had felt. Her inability to measure up to others’ expectations. The criticism—perceived or real—that had deeply wounded her. I sympathized with many of her feelings and was hard pressed to do more than listen and nod. Yes, church people can be as critical as all people. Yes, often we are too quick to jump to judgment without taking the time to understand. Yes, I could relate to her complaints all too easily.

Yet, as I listened, I kept thinking about the body as Paul described it. How each one of us is a crucial part of the whole. “Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another” (Rom. 12:4-5). I kept thinking, “What good is a thumb without a forefinger? A knee without a leg?” And we smiled at the crazy idea of a body part functioning to its full capacity in isolation.

And then I thought of the many ways other believers have encouraged me. I shared with her that there was a time in my life when I wanted to do it all myself. To be independent in order not to be disappointed or to disappoint others. But without other believers to bump against I didn’t grow much in the “love and good works” departments. It required taking some risks to step into the messiness of relationships, but the gain has been worth the pain. My fellow body parts have caused me to grow in ways I couldn’t have dreamed of. When they move, I am forced to move, too. And the exercise does me good. I am strengthened and encouraged by them, and they are spurred on to actions by the steps that I take.

She smiled discreetly when I said I didn’t want to guess which part of the body I was—I can just imagine she was thinking, “The BIG mouth!” Or maybe something worse. But I hope she could see what Paul and I were getting at. After all, what good is an isolated part of a body? How can we do the good works God has prepared unless we are willing to be the part He has made us to be? And it is for that we need to take the risk of meeting together. God has a purpose for our lives, and we are most fulfilled when we serve His will. It’s a symbiosis that is perfect and complete.

What part of the body are you? Have you gotten in the habit of “staying away from our meetings” (Heb. 10:25). Are you encouraging other believers to “love and good works?” Are you finding the encouragement you need? Come back to the body—this Sunday. We need you as much as you need us. Maybe even more.

Father, thank you for the reminder that each of us is equally important to You. You have designed us to do good works and crafted us to serve in Your body. Place us where You want us, Lord. Use us as You’ve made us. Let us serve where You have purposed us. Amen.

[By Lisa Huddleston]

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