Daily Butter: Unseen Strength

Unseen Strength

My little addition to Our Daily Bread (6/27)

But even more, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are necessary.

And those parts of the body that we think to be less honorable, we clothe these

with greater honor, and our unpresentable parts have a better presentation.

(1 Corinthians 12:22-23 HCSB)

Centuries after Paul wrote about the parts of the body and we know a bit more about anatomy and physiology it is even more apparent that the unseen parts (internal organs) even more than the "clothed" parts are vital. Even with this knowledge of our own bodies, the health of our internal organs is most often taken for granted unless one becomes an undeniable source of pain.

 

Unfortunately, our human nature is still drawn to think that the leaders in our worship services, our Bible study groups, even those who make up the office staff are the important part of the church. The prayer warriors in every vibrant church that I've been a part of are the circulatory system that carry the life-blood of Christ to each and every part of His body. While often overlooked (except when injury to one part or another requires increased blood flow), the body of Christ would be suffer maladies and lose all effectiveness. All parts of the body need to be a part of this process of allowing the blood to flow too us an through us.

 

My brother challenged me by his example in this. As we had a rare opportunity to worship together visiting the church in which we grew up, his iPhone made a "Ding-Dong" doorbell chime in class at 10:02am. The teacher asked if all was okay and he pointed out that it was a reminder for him. Given the opportunity to explain, he told the class that it is a reminder of Christ's own words recorded in Luke 10:2.

He told them: "The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore,

pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.

(Luke 10:2 HCSB)

If Christ's own words command us to pray, we truly ought to obey. Today, as I look further into the passage, I notice the very next verse is "Now go; I'm sending you out like lambs among wolves." (HCSB) I have been challenged the past few days in this exercise that while I have had decades of "training," I must get out of the starting blocks. I am not sure what this means, but I know that I need as I wrote yesterday to "renew my commitment to seek His plan." This starts first and foremost with seeking Him in prayer. For any that would join me I would appreciate your prayers and words of encouragement as I look to see what the next steps in His plan for me will look like.

 

in His service,

Andy Jentes