Two hundred more days to go in 2010. Just watched Australia get slaughtered in the World Cup, right here in Australia. Sad.
Today's reading takes a bit of pondering
So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't.
I guess the part that really speaks to me here is the comparing with others. Firstly for me, I guess is not pridefully comparing myself to other people. That has been an ongoing lesson since I got here. Then there's enviously comparing myself with others, and that has been ongoing for even longer. The close balance to draw here is wanting to learn from someone to become better (or politically correct way of saying it: to be more like Christ), and the feeling of being an inferior Christian or not good enough because I don't do my QT as long, or as intense, or as regularly, or pray as much, etc etc.
The balance is found in the part anchoring this verse, were were fashioned to be certain parts, and different parts have different strengths. Some are strong in lifting, some are strong in thinking. Very different, but very vital. So the challenge is to know what we're made to be, cuz once we know that, we won't have to be comparing etc. And upon thinking, I realise the question of inferiority on QT and prayer is better addressed by the maturity question, where Ps Martin Steel spoke about how an apple that is bitter when it's young is perfect, for the stage of maturity that it's in, but it should be sweet when ripe.
The part where this addresses best is what is followed up by the next verse
6-8If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.
Yup. I've gotta know where my place is in the body of Christ. To do what has been assigned to me, and not enviously compare to what others have achieved or are doing. Neither do I pride myself with having arrived, because there's still so much to be done, and so much more to learn. And speaking of learn, here's more direct speaking from the Word,
14-16Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.
17-19Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone.
Probably the hardest parts for me are in those verses. It's as clear as clear can get. Make friends with nobodies. Yeah, gotta do that! And also Wintercamp!
Prayer time :)