Friday, April 29 – 1 Corinthians 12:24b-26

But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that part which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same care for one another. And if one part of the body suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if a part is honored, all the parts rejoice with it.

There is something inside of us that values community. We want to be known and loved. God has wired us this way. He saw Adam in the garden and knew it was not good for him to be alone (Genesis 2:18). In a time when we are more connected than ever through technology, our souls still need something deeper. A survey in December 2021 found that “31% of adults [reported] feeling lonely at least some of each day.”[1] Maybe you’ve felt the same way. God knows this about our nature and the difficulty of loneliness. This is why He has given us the body of Christ. If you are a follower of Jesus, you are never alone. God is alive and at work in you and He has given you your brothers and sisters in Christ as a tangible reminder of this.

More than just being a part of the body of Christ, you get to be an active member! You have the opportunity to live out this passage, to care for those that are hurting, to grieve with those who are grieving, to rejoice with those who rejoice. Your life is not just about you, you are a part and essential piece to grow and be used by God to build up the body.

• Who is someone in your church community that is rejoicing or lonely today, how can you serve them?
• How does our faith walk change when we understand ourselves as active members of the body?
• Pray and ask God to show you how to love your brothers and sisters in Christ today.

[1] “31% Of U.S. Adults Report Feeling Lonely at Least Some of Each Day,” Barna Group, December 8, 2021, https://www.barna.com/research/mettes-lonely-americans/.