“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body – Jews or Greeks, slaves or free – and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” – 1 Corinthians 12:12-13
I have been encouraged lately by many members of the Body coming alongside me and supporting me with words of encouragement and prayer. More than ever, I feel connected to the Body. I realize that I cannot be isolated from the other members. If I were to cut myself off and try to exist as a lone foot, I would be useless. I would be useless as a teacher in Germany without other believers sending and supporting me.
As I am connected to the Head, Christ, I begin to see parts of the Body that I never noticed before. These seemingly invisible parts are absolutely crucial to the church! “The parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable” (1 Corinthians 12:22).
This is the theme verse of the STARS disability ministry at College Church. Tomorrow I’ll be running in the Run for the STARS 5k race. In volunteering with the STARS over the past couple years, one of the things I have come to appreciate is the power of the simplest prayers, spoken honestly and truly by humble hearts. In God’s Kingdom, it’s not about having all the right words; it is about admitting that God is all-powerful, and He is faithful even when we mess up.
During this time of fund raising, God has blessed me with the opportunity to learn to rely solely on Him to provide for all my needs. It can be scary – “What if my support doesn’t come in? What if I can’t go?” It can also be scary for contributors – “What if I lose my job? What if I can’t continue to support her?” For both missionaries and supporters: God is in control. He provides. Trust Him, and don’t worry! He feeds the birds and clothes the grass of the field; will He not much more clothe and feed you? Trust in the Lord forever, for He is an everlasting rock. Stay connected to Christ, and He will continue to sustain you.
