WEDNESDAY | DAILY RHYTHMS - SERVE WEEK 2

The human body is a marvelous and mysterious creation, is it not? The intricate and delicate complexity of its interconnected parts and systems have fascinated the brightest scientific minds for centuries. Paul uses the image of the human body to convey that the Christian life must always involve cooperative connection with others. No part of the human body is able to function independently. Rather, each part exists within systems linked together by connective tissue allowing complex tasks to be performed. Sadly, many Christ followers function much of the time independently from others. Paul encourages the Ephesians to embrace a vision of growth, maturity and effortless fluidity in terms of how their faith community functions together as one unit. Picture the form of a world class sprinter moving down the track with grace and power. In the movie Chariots of Fire, Scottish Olympian and missionary, Eric Liddell says, “I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure.” You have also been made for a purpose. As you embrace your unique gifting and find loving connection within the church, the body of Christ, you become part of something much greater than the sum of its parts.

In today’s passage, Paul paints a picture of the stages of human development from childhood to mature adulthood. Spend a few minutes picturing the stages of development from toddlers, to infant, to child, to adolescent, to young adult, to mature adult and list a few descriptors by each stage.

• What stage of development best describes your current experience in your faith community? 
• How would you best describe the sense you have of your place in the body of Christ? Remember, every part serves its purpose and, when properly fueled and conditioned, leads to better functionality.
• What is your spiritual gifting and how have you operated within that gifting to serve others recently?