Being with so many different church families this year has sparked this thought from my journaling as I realize once again how huge the family of God is and how privileged we are to part of this incredible group.  Thank you, churches, for standing firm for God and for the encouragement you are to us.

we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another

Last fall, Carl and I had the privilege of being with Curt Peterson, the secretary of World Mission for the Covenant Church.  As he shared about the global body of Christ, our eyes were opened once again to the incredible picture of God’s Kingdom.  The great “WE” is so much more than our individual families or ministries, churches or countries.  It is the picture of all the saints moving towards our heavenly Kingdom, united as one.    Our hearts can only respond in humility and praise for the Father God who has chosen us to enter into His great family and for the redemptive work of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, who is the only reason why we are included.  We felt the tug of His Holy Spirit as Curt shared how God’s people worldwide, with that same Spirit within them, pull together and carry each other’s burdens.  Again, we felt God’s voice speaking to our hearts asking us to ask ourselves, “Who is my brother?”

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.  For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.  Romans 12:3-5