A church working properly
You ascended the high mount, leading captives in your train
And receiving gifts from people. Psalm 68:18
Read Ephesians 4:11—16
If I have time tonight, let me think in two directions at once. Who in my congregation really ministers to me? Really enhances my life? Startles me with their servant heart toward me? Who leads me closer in to Jesus Christ? Helps me know him relationally? Helps me become familiar with the ways of God? Deepens me in who I am as one who belongs to the communion of the saints? Who is active in reaching out to those who don’t know Jesus yet, doing something like I have described for those not yet part of the church? Now for the other direction: what is my part in this whole process? If Jesus is calling his own to himself and they are growing up in him, what is my part in encouraging them? Nothing could be a greater privilege than this, surely.
Prayer
Dear Father, I thank you for the privilege and pleasure of being part of a body of ordinary people who see way beyond themselves. They know that their greatest enjoyment in life is to belong to you. We have been brought to this by your own grace in Jesus Christ, and the movement of the Spirit among us. Let me treasure this activity of the Spirit within my church. Let me be a willing participant. Let me recognise what gifts and roles and energies I have been given. Use them as yours. Let me learn a happy obedience. Let me encourage my brothers and sisters. Let us see you in each other and grow to delight in you as we do.