Stress Test Devotional April 27
April 27, 2024
1 CORINTHIANS 12:24-26 | 24 Whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, 25 that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.
The unity of the church, in fact, is only achieved, when we learn to honor the “lesser folks” in our midst. This will mean “there is no dissension” in the body. It will change the nature of conflict and make it less intense and more positive, because it will help each of us to develop an authentic humility.
This in turn, allows that rare and beautiful thing: identification. We are first and foremost aware, at every moment, of how we feel individually and how events and people are impacting us. Parenting or caring for someone over time, helps us move from self-concern, to identify with the needs and challenges and lives of another. The next stage, however, widens the circle of our concern so that, “if one member suffers, all suffer together, if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” Relationships can deepen to the point where we experience other’s joy and pain and true intimacy is achieved.
With whom at VPC do you identify?
