For the next few weeks, we’ll be looking at scriptures related to the Building Blocks, which are spiritual practices we can adapt and use to “practice the presence of Christ.” Read more info about the blocks, or download the 2011 Soul Care Plan. Today’s Block is “S”, for service.
Today’s scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Ben Lamb):
Well, lo and behold, I received the present I’d most wanted for Christmas: a trip in Mr. Peabody and Sherman’s WABAC machine.
The time period I chose was the latter part of the mid first-century in a certain Roman prison.
Huh? What’s up with that?
I’ve been wanting to meet the apostle Paul for quite a bit, and — radical dude that he was for his time — he ended up being in the slammer every so often. But, all of this down time gave him lots of opportunity to do quite a bit of writing which we still have now. However, I’d also wondered about some of his thought processes along the way. Now, thanks to the WABAC machine, I’d have a chance.
When we got there, Mr. Peabody went off by himself, and I got to see Paul by myself.
B: Why were some people given only certain gifts? It seems to me that if all of us had every gift, then all of us could do everything, and then we’d all be of equal value to God.
P: Aside from the fact that you are not God, and Jesus is the head of the church instead of you, let me ask you something. [Ouch. Paul’s forthright comments rather sting of truth sometimes.] Suppose we all did have the same abilities. Wouldn’t you spend a lot of time deciding which of your many, many gifts to use? What if everyone all decided to use the very same gift and forgo every other gift in their repertoire?
B: I never thought of those points. A degree of specialization does seem to make sense. But, aren’t some gifts far more important than others? Doesn’t God love recipients of the “better” gifts more?
P: Which do you love most: your heart or your liver?
B: I’d be unable to get along without either, so I’d have to say I love them equally.
P: Transfer that same idea to the “body of Christ”. BTW — and you may use that abbreviation in your world when you return to it; ha! — you’ll notice, as you look over my shoulder while I write to the church over in Ephesus, that I’m trying to drive home the points of “unity” and “maturity”.
B: So, I guess those are some problems the new church is facing?
P: Yes. Like young children, the church is needing some extra help and guidance. I’m using this analogy to help people understand the idea of Jesus Christ as head of the Church, and everyone else as being members with equal value to each other.
B: I see. That makes sense.
P: Yes, and while this young organization of believers is growing in maturity, it also is being hammered away at with faulty ideas by outsiders which Jesus never would have approved of. I mean egomaniacs with 5-camel garages who demand that their duped followers shell-out shekels galore in order to keep their own oil lamps burning 24-hours a day. And the stuff they claim that makes God happy is just a clay pot of donkey-doo.
B: So that’s where your writings are going to help?
P: It’s the best I can do. I’d like to go around in person and speak all of my thoughts aloud instead of being stuck here in prison and having to write them out.
B: But, Paul, camcorders haven’t been invented yet. Without your writings, we never would have known what your thoughts were… I mean are… I mean had been…
P: Yeah, I get the hieroglyph. Time travel does have a way of making verb tenses a bit awkward. So, let me recap the main spear points:
- Accept your individualized gift(s)
- Build up the unified Body of Christ
- Stay the course
- Be nice out of your heart
I tell you, Ben, it’ll be wonderful when the Church becomes so universally strong, mighty, and perfect that nobody will ever need to read my writings as a reminder.
B: Paul, I’m glad you’re not a gamblin’ man.
Thought for the day: Some things never change. Since that statement is true about humanity and all of its shortcomings, thank God (literally, please) it’s also true that the core of our steadfast God never changes!
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.
Image source: http://www.tvacres.com/dogs_cartoons_peabody.htm