31 Days of Devotion, Day 24 by Chrissy Roberts

Daily Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Unity & Diversity in the Body

Just as our physical bodies are comprised of many parts designed to perform specific tasks, we as followers of Jesus, are all part of the body of Christ, uniquely gifted by God to fulfill specific roles in his world. 

Over the past fifteen years, I have had the privilege of watching firsthand as God has united people from all over the world to serve his suffering children in West Africa.  Countless times, we have prayerfully considered situations, wondering how all the pieces could possibly fall into place.  Time and time again, God has stirred the hearts of his people with the precise gifts, talents, and financial resources needed to accomplish the seemingly impossible.  I could share a thousand stories!  We have witnessed so many amazing people utilize their gifts to show God’s love to the children of West Africa.  Without every single one of those people, children would have died of malnutrition and treatable illnesses and injuries.  Hundreds of children would have missed the opportunity to witness the love of Christ in action.  And so many would have missed out on the joy of serving others.

“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”  My prayer is that we all become increasingly aware of the role God intends for us to fulfill within the body, for our hearts to be broken by the suffering of others to move us to action, and for us to rejoice in the victories the Lord has shown through us, with all our differences, working together as one unified body.