4 For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. Romans 12: 4-5
A couple of weeks ago Daniel spoke from Romans 12. In verses 4 – 5 Paul explains that the church is a body where we all play our part but he also makes the statement that ‘individually we are members one of another’. His point is that although we are individuals, our commitment to each other is to each play our part and what we do (or don’t do) impacts those around us.
Participation is a key theme at CBBC this year, it’s not that we are wanting people to domore, rather we want everyone to be fulfilling whatever call God has put on their life. If you are a teacher then teach, an administrator then administrate and so on. Paul’s call to participate is particularly in regards to the church so that those gifted in certain areas are bringing their expertise to be used for God’s purposes in the mission of the church.
Paul’s call is also central to Jesus’s prayer for His future followers just before He died where He prayed;
I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. John 17: 20-21
As we each find our call in God and then corporately work as the body of Christ loving each other, allowing each other to be all that God wants them to be, each fulfilling their call, then the world will believe in Jesus because of this! Seems simple doesn’t it but the truth is that busyness, insecurity, pride (amongst other things) get in the way of us fulfilling the very thing that God has made us to be. Let’s all of us listen afresh to God’s call and ask Him how he wants us to use the gifts he has given us.