We
must keep our eyes on the prize, which is Jesus Christ, and our focus on the
work of building up the Kingdom of God with the help of the Holy Spirit. This
means we are building Kingdom relationships, not based on commonality or
homogeneous thinking, outside and inside the church. Our pursuit is for the
lost and the sick. Remember the killer Paul and foul mouth Peter?
We might not have been able to "get-a-long" with them and might not have
anything in common with them either. The disciples worked towards a common goal
(vision/mission) and accomplished it through the ministry of Christ. We must
serve humbly, forgive always and pray the Lord blesses and favors the
work in the church.
But
now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He
desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are
many members, but one body. —1 Corinthians
12:18–20
Father, You made all of us with different
personalities, with different gifts and responsibilities, and yet You choose to
mingle us together in the same body of believers, over which Christ is Head. You
provide us endless opportunities to give of ourselves, to teach others, to guide
the confused, to help those in need, and to carry the burdens of others. As we
serve Your people and touch the lives of those outside the church, we face great
temptations to be in charge, to force others to get in line, to make things more
uniform and rigid, to get narrow and demanding, to set our expectations too
high, to handle the work of ministry and life in general as if they were secular
enterprises. God, we need You to keep things fresh and unpredictable and
especially to keep us authentic, servant-hearted people who are easy to live
with. Remind us that You are the Potter and we are the clay.
So
give us new hope . . . hope beyond religion, hope that motivates us to press on,
to serve You with pure motives, strong minds, and humble hearts. Thank You for
Your grace, our only hope . . . in Jesus’s name. Amen.
Scripture Reference: Acts 2:44–47;
9:31; 1 Corinthians 11:16; Philippians
2:3–4
