Body Building

It’s 4am at the base of Mt Mulanje here in Malawi as I write this. I’m watching coffee brew in the Aeropress and thinking about home. I prayed for the large number of people in our church whānau who are struggling with health or other significant issues in their life right now– a long list.

Before that I had read Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. He describes being “In Christ” like being placed inside a giant, growing, dynamic ecosystem. Every part of this system is reliant on, tied into and led by Jesus. “The body of Christ” is a deeply interconnected group of people with sinews, ligaments, muscles, limbs and blood vessels all working together; and with its strength coming from the connections. The connections of humility, love, patience, service to one another, and each gifted with unique attributes to contribute. The result being and abundance of life, hope, joy, well-being, that grows until it floods the world with God’s power and love.

That’s what led my thoughts back to our little part of the Jesus ecosystem and of the 300-plus people that it is made up of. I let my mind wander over the connections that I know of, celebrating where people are well knitted in, grieving for those who are barely connected, hanging by a strand. I am delighted when I hear of the crowd of people caring, visiting, supporting those I’ve prayed for. The body is working. But for those suffering alone, disconnected, hidden, or overlooked: I grieve. It’s not how it’s meant to be.

Where are you connected? Who has connected with you? Who have you connected with this week?

Adam