One Body

April 18, 2008
I Corinthians 12:27 “All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.”
You know, after growing up in the church, and in Christian school, praying with other believers, playing sports, talking to and listening to friends, and studying 1 Corinthians 12 in Fuel Cell with the teens I thought I had a good understanding on what it meant to be part of the body of Christ. This past week I realized there is a lot more to it than I thought.
I am learning the language, adjusting to the food, getting to know the kids. I know this is where God wants me at this time in my life. However, there are still times when I am frustrated because I do not understand or cannot communicate. Sometimes I want to eat more than potatoes and drink water from the faucet. I miss my family and friends. I do not want to walk down dirt roads with trash scattered everywhere and dogs barking at me from every direction. I get tired of being stared at by the locals. It is these times that I am weak and tired. Sometimes I feel lonely. I question my calling. These are the hard times; when I become the needy part of the body of Christ. It is in my darkest hours that God shines brightest through His body. It never fails that when I feel down someone calls me to see how I am doing or I get a text message of encouragement. Friends and family e-mail, facebook, comment on a photo or send messages through my parents that they are praying for me. God uses these bits of encouragement to make a big difference. I no longer feel alone. I am reminded that I am loved. I am part of a body. The desire to see God’s work carried out is much more important than the comforts of home. It is amazing how these small actions can make such a big difference.
Ukrainian or American, it makes no difference, we are all a part of the same body. We all serve the same God. We all have purpose. We all need each other. Thank you for your encouragement.
I Thessalonians 5:11 “Encourage one anoter and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”