Be the Body
Last Friday, we had an awesome Tween fun night at church. Along with tons of fun, games, and pizza, we also had some time set apart for worship, prayer, and prayer stations.
These nights are often some of my favorites. I love getting to know our tweens on a different level, and being able to pray for them and worship with them.
This particular night, we began by talking about difficulties in life, and things that weigh us down. We watched a short video about a man named Nick Vujicic: he was born without legs or arms, which had spurred some awesome conversation about self-worth and other difficulties.
We used this to lead into a conversation about how differences are a great thing, and that we're all different parts of the body of Christ. Not everybody can be the same part of the body; we wouldn't be able to function together if we were!
I asked: If we were all a nose, could I see? Could I walk around?
The resounding answer from the kids?
NO!
I repeated this process with several other common parts of the body like legs, feet, and eyes.
During this time, I had a tween ask, "If you're blind, could you still be the eyes of the body of Christ?"
In the interest of saving time and moving into small groups, I told the tween we can talk about that later.
So, we separated into small groups and traced a volunteer on a huge piece of paper. We had the kids label different ways that they could be the body of Christ to each other or to their friends at school and other people they encounter. While brainstorming ways to be the body of Christ, I was thinking about the question that I was asked.
Can you be the same part of the body of Christ that you have a physical limitation with?
Do you know what I was reminded of, friends? God exists outside of my own parameters. He is bigger than physical limitations. He is stronger than my greatest fear. He is far grander than anything I could dream...
He is not limited by physical limitations. He is not limited by time, space, or even our own comfort zones.
So be the body. Allow the Father to show you where you connect. Remember that you are important. You are loved. In the difficult moments, we are able to help carry each other and support each other. We were not created to journey alone! The body of Christ functions better when we all work together. Be intentional about creating relationships. Be radically loved and love radically. Be the body.
Between the Shadow and the Soul: Blogging through the journey.