God Speaking

“So, in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”

(Romans 12: 5)

Just recently, I lost a dear friend who lived in Australia. Sadly, I couldn’t travel all that way to be present at her funeral. But her loving family made it possible for me to join virtually from my computer.

During that beautiful Christian service, something extraordinary happened. As the priest began to pray, I joined aloud from my home. I’ve always been struck by how Jesus’s prayer is plural—not “My Father,” but “Our Father.” And in that moment, I felt it deeply. Though I didn’t know the others personally, I was with them. I was in Christ with them. The feeling was overwhelming.

It is lovely to be part of God’s family across the world. The family we belong to here is very important as we can lovingly care for and support each other and be supported. 

I came across a beautiful verse in my Bible study, it was from the Prophet Isaiah, and it says we can be a shelter from the wind for others and seek help when we face storms. 

What a beautiful image of how we, as members of God’s family, can be a refuge for one another.

“See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice. Each one will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land.” (Isaiah 32: 1 – 2)

Life is always turbulent but when we belong to the family of God we can become an incredible blessing to others, our king of Righteousness, Jesus, reigns and he has blessed us with a beautiful message to love one another and he has given us each the wonderful gift to provide shelter for those who need shelter from the winds that spring up and blow us off the paths of truth life, to provide a refuge for those surrounded by huge problems. 

So how do we do this?

In the chapter in Romans 12, Paul gives the new believers the best way to live as a loving family together 

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 12: 10)

Our homes can become a refuge for the lonely, the depressed the sad, by practising what Paul says 

“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” (Romans 12: 13)

Even choosing a different seat each Sunday so we can welcome newcomers or help the shy to fit in. At the same time, we can seek help when we face the storms of life, we don’t need to be ashamed to seek the help of faithful members of the family. Our church always has prayer available after the service so anybody can share their pain and receive help. 

All we must remember is this: in Christ, we form one body. And that body is never alone.