I sat at my dining room table, soaking up Ephesians 4:7-16 from The Orthodox Study Bible (OSB). Moved by verse 16, I quickly slid my laptop closer to me to write about it.
The reading was a refreshing reminder that we are not individually responsible for every part of the growth of the body of Christ. As verse 16 says in the OSB, “…every part does its share…”
Although, of course, Christ wants all of our being—mind, body, soul, and spirit—as far as effectively working on behalf of God’s Kingdom, we are not called to do it all. So, why do many feel like we are, therefore, taking on more than we may be called to do?
A sense of gratitude washed over me as I reflected on the specific roles I am blessed to play in this mission. I currently teach faith-based stretching classes, serve as a board member of the LiveLiving International Foundation ministry, and help share my intimacy with God through my book, Rhyming with God: Poetic Prayers & Reflections.
During my study of Ephesians 4:16, I paused to express gratitude to God:
“Thank You, God
For proportioning my share
Making my gifts clear
And guiding me into action for Your glory without fear.
Please remove anything I’m doing or might do that is not from You. Please keep me aligned with Your will," I prayed.
I suddenly remembered the poetic prayer—“What am I to do?”—included in Rhyming with God. I prayed that, too.
In a world where we often feel like we’re not doing enough based on the volume we're told or think we should be producing, we become overwhelmed, stuck in a rut, and sometimes feel incompetent, incomplete, and weak, leading us to do nothing at all.
The saying “more hands make lighter work” comes to mind. If we all do our share, the work can be accomplished in a non-overwhelming way. Then, our roles, at times, can feel like play because we’re living out our portion in a balanced way.
Is your plate full to the point of overwhelm? If so, what can you remove? What’s on it that God isn’t asking you to do?
Remove it. Reset. Refresh. Restructure. Remind yourself that God didn’t create us to do it all. We are many parts of one body, so we each have a part to play. Again, the Word instructs us to simply do our share. And that’s enough because God says so!
“…For his ‘body’ has been formed in his image and is closely joined together and constantly connected as one. And every member has been given divine gifts to contribute to the growth of all; and as these gifts operate effectively throughout the whole body, we are built up and made perfect in love.” Ephesians 4:16 (TPT)
Add comment
Comments