Daily Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:26 Thus if one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; and if one part is honored, all the parts share its happiness.
27 Now you together constitute the body of the Messiah, and individually you are parts of it. 28 And God has placed in the Messianic Community first, emissaries; second, prophets; third, teachers; then those who work miracles; then those with gifts of healing; those with ability to help; those skilled in administration; and those who speak in various tongues. 29 Not all are emissaries, are they? Not all are prophets, are they? or teachers? or miracle-workers? 30 Not all have gifts of healing, not all speak in tongues, not all interpret, do they?
Reflection Questions:
Babe Ruth, a famous individual baseball star, said, “The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club won't be worth a dime.” The apostle Paul reminded his readers in Corinth that their varied gifts were not tools to outdo others in a quest for power or glory. Connected in Christ, they needed to depend on and support one another.
- In verses 29-30, Paul asked a set of questions that all focused on the question, “Are we all gifted in the exact same ways?” He phrased them in a way that assumed the answer was “No.” Reflect on the mix of interests, talents, and passions that makes you unique. What are some ways in which your uniqueness can join God’s mission, and equip you to work with God for the good of others?
- When we’re healthy, our body parts do not envy or compete with another. Rather, as Paul wrote in verse 26, “If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part gets the glory, all the parts celebrate with it.” Who have you known who lived out that spirit as a member of “the Body of Christ”? How can you more fully honor both your own gifts and those of others?
Creator God, help me embrace the person you have made me to be. Help me to use my unique abilities, not selfishly, but to contribute to your mission in the world and the good of others. Amen.
Insights from Rev. Chris Holliday
Rev. Chris Holliday serves as the associate minister at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection West.
Sometimes in life, we get down on ourselves. We may think things like:
“I’m not good enough.”
“Why can’t I get it together?”
“I just keep messing up?”
“Can’t I do anything right?”
“What is my problem?”
As we ruminate on such negative thoughts, it’s easy to fall into a downward spiral of sadness, anxiety, depression and/or some other form of emotional distress. We can also start to question our own self-worth. While each of us may experience these feelings in different degrees and durations, I feel sure we’ve all had those moments. I know I have and do.
Yesterday in worship at Resurrection West, the worship band led us in one of my favorite songs (“Your Grace is Enough,” by Matt Maher). The song reminds us that we are God’s children and that God’s grace is truly enough. Think about that. We are made in the image of our great Creator; we are children of God; and God wants a special relationship with every one of us. God has uniquely gifted each of us, as well, and calls us to use our gifts and talents as a community, a church, the body of Christ.
You are not worthless! None of us are! We are priceless to God and called to do amazing things for the Kingdom. Sometimes we may think what we have to contribute is small, but it’s not. It all matters to God, because we matter to God. And when we do make mistakes or get in a rut, may we remember that God’s grace is enough. God loves us so much more than we could ever imagine and nothing we can do will separate us from God’s never-ending, abundant grace and love.
So may we come together as parts of the body and become the team that we are meant to be–one that encourages and lifts one another up–one that uses all of our gifts and talents to love and serve our neighbors and our God.
(If you struggle often with the thoughts and feelings that I mentioned earlier, it can be helpful to seek counsel and support from a mental health professional, pastor, medical doctor and/or care group. I tell you this from my own personal experience and pray that you or someone on your behalf finds the strength and courage to reach out. I know how hard that can be. See www.cor.org/counselingreferraland www.cor.org/careclasses for more assistance. Blessings upon you.)“Your Grace is Enough,” by Matt MaherGreat is Your faithfulness, oh God
You wrestle with the sinner's restless heart
You lead us by still waters and to mercy
And nothing can keep us apart
So remember Your people
Remember Your children
Remember Your promise, oh God
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me
Great is Your love and justice, God of Jacob
You use the weak to lead the strong
You lead us in the song of Your salvation
And all Your people sing along
So remember Your people
Remember Your children
Remember Your promise, oh God
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me
Yeah, Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me
Remember Your people
Remember Your children
Remember Your promise, oh God
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me
Yeah, Your grace is enough
Heaven reaches out to us
Your grace is enough for me
God I see Your grace is enough
I'm covered in Your love
Your grace is enough for me, for me
It's enough for me
Download the GPS App
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224 United States
913.897.0120
____________________________
Sometimes in life, we get down on ourselves. We may think things like:
“I’m not good enough.”
“Why can’t I get it together?”
“I just keep messing up?”
“Can’t I do anything right?”
“What is my problem?”
As we ruminate on such negative thoughts, it’s easy to fall into a downward spiral of sadness, anxiety, depression and/or some other form of emotional distress. We can also start to question our own self-worth. While each of us may experience these feelings in different degrees and durations, I feel sure we’ve all had those moments. I know I have and do.
Yesterday in worship at Resurrection West, the worship band led us in one of my favorite songs (“Your Grace is Enough,” by Matt Maher). The song reminds us that we are God’s children and that God’s grace is truly enough. Think about that. We are made in the image of our great Creator; we are children of God; and God wants a special relationship with every one of us. God has uniquely gifted each of us, as well, and calls us to use our gifts and talents as a community, a church, the body of Christ.
You are not worthless! None of us are! We are priceless to God and called to do amazing things for the Kingdom. Sometimes we may think what we have to contribute is small, but it’s not. It all matters to God, because we matter to God. And when we do make mistakes or get in a rut, may we remember that God’s grace is enough. God loves us so much more than we could ever imagine and nothing we can do will separate us from God’s never-ending, abundant grace and love.
So may we come together as parts of the body and become the team that we are meant to be–one that encourages and lifts one another up–one that uses all of our gifts and talents to love and serve our neighbors and our God.
(If you struggle often with the thoughts and feelings that I mentioned earlier, it can be helpful to seek counsel and support from a mental health professional, pastor, medical doctor and/or care group. I tell you this from my own personal experience and pray that you or someone on your behalf finds the strength and courage to reach out. I know how hard that can be. See www.cor.org/counselingreferraland www.cor.org/careclasses for more assistance. Blessings upon you.)“Your Grace is Enough,” by Matt MaherGreat is Your faithfulness, oh God
You wrestle with the sinner's restless heart
You lead us by still waters and to mercy
And nothing can keep us apart
So remember Your people
Remember Your children
Remember Your promise, oh God
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me
Great is Your love and justice, God of Jacob
You use the weak to lead the strong
You lead us in the song of Your salvation
And all Your people sing along
So remember Your people
Remember Your children
Remember Your promise, oh God
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me
Yeah, Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me
Remember Your people
Remember Your children
Remember Your promise, oh God
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me
Yeah, Your grace is enough
Heaven reaches out to us
Your grace is enough for me
God I see Your grace is enough
I'm covered in Your love
Your grace is enough for me, for me
It's enough for me
Download the GPS App
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224 United States
913.897.0120
____________________________
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