Express your service in the fellowship of the church. My church cannot grow and function effectively unless each member of my body offers to serve. And, as your consciousness becomes more attuned to me, I will show you my hand at work in the events of your life. Each increase in awareness is an invitation to join me. You’ll see.

Also, after you become accustomed to living with me and acting out of a new center of consciousness, a sister or a brother will note your deepened awareness. Without your ever telling them, they will know about this transformation that is going on in your life. Soon they will be asking you to take part in the larger mission of my body, the church. Check in with me before you accept too many obligations. I’ll let you know if these things are priorities in my kingdom.

– Ben Johnson, I Stand at the Door, CTS Press, 1986, 11-12.

He gave some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.  His purpose was to equip God’s people for the work of serving and building up the body of Christ until we all reach the unity of faith and knowledge of God’s Son. God’s goal is for us to become mature adults—to be fully grown, measured by the standard of the fullness of Christ.  As a result, we aren’t supposed to be infants any longer who can be tossed and blown around by every wind that comes from teaching with deceitful scheming and the tricks people play to deliberately mislead others.  Instead, by speaking the truth with love, let’s grow in every way into Christ,  who is the head. The whole body grows from him, as it is joined and held together by all the supporting ligaments. The body makes itself grow in that it builds itself up with love as each one does their part. 

Ephesians 4:11-16

Are you an active part of a faith community?  If so, what service to the body has God called you to fulfill?  Have you felt God nudging you to serve in a certain way?  When have you been blessed by the service of another?

If you aren’t currently active in a faith community, what is keeping you away? Pray for God to help you with whatever obstacle exists there and to guide you to community where you can be both nurtured in your faith and able to serve others – where you can find your place – where you can find your home.

Gracious God,
You created us for community,
to live this life deeply connected to you and to one another.
Help us to find our place,
so that we might become more fully alive.
May we be part of building up your body in love
in this world.
Amen