We Are His Body

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” –1 Corinthians 12:27 (NIV)

On Easter Sunday I spent some time worshipping God while listening to songs by Keith Green. His Easter song always makes me feel nostalgic and reflective. It takes me back to Easter when I was a teen, when we got up early and had a sunrise church service on a little hill near our house. Our small group sang Easter hymns acapella as we watched the sun rise in the sky. It’s one of my favorite memories. 

And that got me thinking about Keith Green. As a teen, I read the story of his life, No Compromise, written by his wife after his life was cut short by a plane crash. He was a prolific songwriter and had quite the ministry before he died. But I wonder, did he have any idea how far-reaching his impact would be? 

Somehow, I doubt he could have imagined that all these years later people would still be listening to his music and inspired by his life. Maybe he saw himself as ordinary, just following Jesus and doing what God led him to do.

It got me thinking…if the Lord took me home to heaven tomorrow, would those who know me feel like the world is a poorer place without me? 

I hope so. 

I don’t know how far-reaching any impact from my “small” life will be, but I hope that the ones I know and love have felt Jesus’ love through me. 

And I know if the question was reversed, for all the “ordinary” yet incredible people I know, I could say a resounding yes! The world would be poorer without you. No matter how “small” your life may feel, I want you to know that I see you. 

I see you raising your kids to love Jesus, teaching the next generation, nursing the hurting, pastoring, mentoring, cleaning, taking meals, leading small groups, caregiving, writing, singing, bringing laughter, giving your time, energy, and money to love your neighbors, strangers, and people overseas you’ve never met who have yet to hear the gospel…

Isn’t it beautiful how God expresses His grace and love in myriad ways through us, His kids? Together our lives create a masterpiece lovingly designed by the Savior who lives in us. We are the body of Christ. We are His hands and feet and voice – in all the “small” places and everyday ways.

Yes, friend. I see you. I thank God for you. I hope you remember that your life is lighting up this dark world. And I pray you’ll keep on following Jesus and doing what God leads you to do…one day at a time. You can pray the same for me. =) 

“Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” –Ephesians 4:15–16 (NIV)