You Are One Body, treat it right.

You Are One Body, Treat it Right

     “Oh great, they’re coming my way.” The feeling of dread overtakes me and my stomach is in knots. I look around for an easy escape, an unlocked door to duck into or a conversation with an unsuspecting passerby, anything that will get me out of the line of fire. Have you ever felt this way? I cringe to think of how many people I might have hurt on my quest to help them become “better people”. Sadly, my own children have been victims of my frustrations with imperfection and have suffered the sting of sarcasm.

   Why do we get impatient and hurt those we are called to love? A careless word, an unkind look or even the lack of acknowledgement can send someone on a downward spiral. I once had a lady accuse me of purposely enticing the men of the church; I was twelve years old and so embarrassed that it took me two years to step into any church again. I couldn’t help it that I was an early developer, I didn’t ask for this body. Little did she realize that since the time I was four years old sexual abuse was just a part of  "normal" life and my only hope of a safe haven was ripped away with her words.

Ephesians 4: 2, 3, 15, 16 says, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (vs. 2, 3)  Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”(vs. 15, 16)

   It's like  when I needed shoulder surgery. I had a nasty bone spur that cut a tendon in two. This tendon was attached to a muscle that helped move my arm and once it was detached my arm lost mobility and strength. It took six weeks of not using that arm and another six weeks of careful physical therapy before I was able to use it properly. I didn’t realize how valuable it was until I no longer had its help. It was frustrating but I had to be patient. I had to wait for healing and keep strengthening that arm until it was strong enough to perform the task it was meant to do.

   Do you see where I am going here? When it comes to the body of Christ it is easy to become annoyed with others when they don’t measure up to our expectations. Impatient words, sarcasm or even an exasperated rolling of the eyes can stifle growth or reopen an injury. “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” If I can remember this, it just might help me to be more patient even if it feels like I am “bearing” (“to put up with, to endure.”) with that person for love’s sake. Composing myself and being gentle might not always be easy but it’s sure the way I would want people to deal with me. “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” This is who we are, supporting ligaments, and parts of a body that shield a hurt, strengthen a weakness and work for the benefit of the whole body not just for a single limb. With all the negative in this world, hurts should not come from our own body members. 

I wonder what change for the better my life would have taken if I had felt a part of a loving family? Time, patience, gentleness and love are never wasted. Eventually these produce healthy members that work together in the bond of peace.