St. Paul knew the budding church in Corinth. While away he received word of the church's growing dissension. He wrote them a letter that I believe we all need to read and then put into action in our beloved northwest Arkansas.
In 1 Corinthians Paul answered some of the most important life questions everyone faces from time to time. "What does it mean to be a member of a church?" and "Where do I fit in?"
Chapter 13 is a familiar chapter to many of us especially if we attend weddings. It is called Paul's midrash halakha on Jesus' commandment, "You shall love one another as I have loved you."
But first step back and read Chapter 12. It helps me when I wonder about those who come here to live and seek the answer to their soul question, "Where do I fit in?" Chapter 12 is that beautiful description of the church as being the Living Body of Christ.
He wrote that we are all a part of the Body of Christ and like a human body we are all necessary. "God has so composed the body ... that there be no discord in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one suffers, all suffer together."
We can all capture Paul's vision and I believe find the peace we are seeking as we wonder "Where do I fit in?" We are all needed but, we also have a responsibility to step forward and volunteer to serve our church and community in any capacity.
I have lived here for 10 years and I know that this community is too often ego afflicted. I would be very rich if I had a quarter (inflation) for every time I have heard an impressive resume of past service followed by "but, I see you already have a head of the Grass Growing Committee, therefore I am not needed." A self-inflicted spiritual wound.
There are many ways to be a servant and use our many gifts. We can never have enough "body parts" -- volunteers. It does take everyone working together in any capacity, to be what God is calling us to be and not just what we think we want to do. We are multitalented members of the Body of Christ.
Then followed Chapter 13 only, the real conclusion is the first verse of Chapter 14. "Make love your aim."
For me, this is our servant goal setting for the all our futures. Notch your spiritual arrows, aim with love in your heart and soul, and let go, trust in God, and you will fit in and be an active member of your church and our community. Let God direct you to where you can best love all your neighbors.
Paul wrote that we are to abide into our future with God with faith, hope and love. We are all necessary as we all grow spiritually together on a daily basis.
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Parks is rector of St. Theodore's Episcopal Church in Bella Vista. He can be reached by email to [email protected].
Religion on 03/04/2015