“... but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” Eph 4:15 & 16
When each Christian does what God has set before them the body of Christ (the Church) grows and becomes more effective. By the same token when we do not do what God is telling us to do the body of Christ “walks with a limp” because, as Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus, that particular joint is not supplying what it should to make the body whole.
Everything that we do has a knock-on effect in our own lives just as much as in others. Each choice we make to stop being selfish and reach out to our community causes a change in direction for that community. Look around you and think for a moment: what would your town be like if in the 19th Century someone had not decided that they would start farming in a particular area? Farms need other services – an outlet for produce, farrier, labour, etc. Successful farms or large properties often became the nucleus of present day villages and towns. What if the pioneer had decided to settle elsewhere? What if the Vikings had run out of steam and never left Scandinavia? What if Martin Luther was put off by the thought that he may be making a fool of himself by publishing his theses that eventually led to the start of the Protestant movement in the Church?
The 16th century poet and clergyman John Donne wrote: “No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.”
We have no idea of the ramifications of the smallest of our actions, however God knows it in minute detail. If He thought for one millisecond that us showing His character in our community was worthless or would have bad results then He would not prompt us or open doors before us, instead He would put us in a place without interaction with others. Each day make the choice to do what God sets before you – no more, no less.
Prayer:
Lord today I want to do what is right in Your eyes, I want to make a positive difference in people's lives, I want to leave a good heritage for those who follow after me. I choose to heed Your voice, to listen and do what You ask, in the name of Jesus, Amen. |
